Child Abuse: A Preventative Approach

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Child AbuseA Preventative Approach

• Ideas for Today and Tomorrow

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Vision Statement

• To dramatically decrease the incidence of child
  abuse in Bexar County by developing a
  comprehensive mentorship program that enhances
  parenting skills and supports parents through the
  first 3 years of their new childs life.

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Todays Situation

• Our current model is reactive instead of
  proactive. We respond after abuse has already
  occurred.
• Services are disjointed

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How Did We Get Here?

• People move away from their families
• Communities and individuals turned responsibility
  over to government agencies
• Limited funding resulted in a triage mentality

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Available Options

• Continue business as usual, by being reactive
• Create a proactive preventative model utilizing
  professionals and trained volunteers within the
  community.

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Pilot Project

• Establish a comprehensive program at University
  Hospital, for all mothers (and fathers) of
  newborns.

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Strategy

• Select the best programs already in place and
  weave them into a sturdy and safe fabric that we
  can wrap around newborns and parents in our
  community.

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1

• Standard of care for all mothers who deliver
  at University Hospital will include a screening
  by Great Start employee who will complete a
  risk assessment packet.

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2

• Appropriate referrals for drug, alcohol and
  psychiatric counseling will be made through the
  Great Start program.

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3

• Great Start employee will complete an
  individualized sheet with safety-net names and
  phone numbers that parents can contact or call
  when they need support.

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4

• All mothers and fathers will be invited to a
  Parenting Is For All (PIFA) reception where they
  will receive information about parenting skills
  and learn about classes offered near their home.

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5

• Each new mother and child will partner for 3
  years with a mentor from One by One. Trained
  volunteers will meet with families based on the
  level of need. They will provide continued
  information on child development and provide
  support to new parents.

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Work Completed

• -Great Start has committed 1 worker for the
  project. We are seeking funding for 2 others.
• -PIFA is already teaching a class at University
  Hospital
• -One by One has outlined a strategy for
  implementation at University Hospital by 9/04

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Work to be Done

• -Writing grants
• -Securing funding
• -Networking with faith based community
• -Training volunteers

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Commitment

• Resolve says, 'I will.' The man says, 'I will
  climb this mountain. They told me it is too high,
  too far, too steep, too rocky and too difficult.
  But it's my mountain. I will climb it. You will
  soon see me waving from the top or dead on the
  side from trying.' --Jim Rohn