Child abuse prevention is the practice of creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children and families to help prevent abuse and neglect. Through education children and adults in our community are given the tools and resources they need to recognize, report, and react responsibly to chid abuse and neglect.

Together, we can create a community where children are safe, healthy, and loved.

PREVENTION INITIATIVES

Trauma Awareness Steering Committee

The Trauma Awareness Steering Committee (TASC) is a group of professionals in Clare and Gladwin Counties that was created to build a resilient, trauma-informed community with a zero-tolerance policy for violence to ensure our counties are a safe place to live, learn, and flourish. The team is made up of representatives from the local child advocacy center, local schools, mental health, law enforcement, and more. Our mission is to limit the long-term effects of trauma, to engage the community by spreading awareness, encouraging resilience, strengthening social support networks, as well as providing prevention education and intervention.

Handle With Care

The Handle With Care (HWC) program promotes safe and supportive homes, schools, and communities that protect children and help traumatized children heal and thrive. HWC promotes school-community partnerships aimed at ensuring that children receive appropriate interventions to help them achieve academically at their highest levels despite whatever traumatic circumstances they may have endured. HWC programs support children exposed to trauma and violence through improved communication and collaboration between law enforcement, schools, and mental health providers, and connects families, schools, and communities to mental health services.

Empowering Families Initiative

All parents and caregivers face challenges when it comes to raising their kids and keeping them safe. We're here to help. Learning how to openly communicate with your child and provide healthy and safe environments is key to preventing child abuse and raising resilient children. Our Empower Families Initiave has two focuses: Trauma Informed Care and Strengthening Families. Topics covered include: Trauma Informed Parenting, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), Health Outcomes of Positive Experiences (HOPE), 5 Protective Factors, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and more! Our goal is to provide resources and education while providing an opportunity for caregivers connect with others and build a sense of confidence and community.

This initiative is available for all families and caregivers who want to build up their caregiving toolbox. Populations that have on more risk factors associated with abuse or neglect, such as but not limited to low-income families, caregiver substance use, domestic violence, young parental age, parental mental health concerns, and parental or child special needs would benefit greatly from participation in this ongoing learning community.

To register or refer a family for our Empowering Families Initiative, click the “Empowering Families Initiative” title above.

PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS