FAMILY AND CHILDRENS COUNCIL OF BLACK HAWK COUNTY INC
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Mission Statement
We Prevent Child Abuse and Strengthen Families
About This Cause
Family and Children’s Council is Black Hawk County’s child abuse prevention agency. Founded in 1980 through a community task force, the agency’s mission is to prevent child abuse and strengthen families. Programming centers around three key areas: Direct Services to families, Education in the Schools, and Community Outreach. Direct Services to families includes parent education (both individual, in-home and group based) which is provided at no cost to participants. Through the Education in Schools, sexual abuse prevention programming reaches students preschool to sixth grade and is provided in addition to programming that targets adults through the Stewards of Children programming. Mandatory reporter training, public speaking on child abuse prevention issues, car seat safety clinics and programming targeting adolescent males are examples of the Community Outreach that Family & Children’s Council implements in the community. Collaboration within the community is an important aspect of all agency programming. Staff is highly involved on community boards, in civic groups and as members of the local Chamber of Commerce in addition to collaborating with other social service agencies to better meet the needs of families and children in Black Hawk County. For example, the Take Charge of Your Body program collaborates with all schools located in Black Hawk County to provide sexual abuse prevention education to over ten thousand elementary students each year. The agency currently has a professional staff of 5.25 F.T.E. and involves over one hundred trained volunteers in its’ efforts. Future programming goals are to not only continue to strengthen current programming but expand it to meet the growing needs of our community. Parent Connection – Parent Connection assists parents by providing education, support and access to community resources, through weekly individual, in-home sessions using an evidenced-based curriculum and outcome assessments. Average length of involvement with programming is twelve months. Empowering Parents – Provides education, support and access to community resources to parents of children ages birth to twelve years. Programming occurs in the group setting over the course of eight weeks, utilizing an evidenced-based curriculum and outcome assessments. Wise Guys - Program is designed to prevent adolescent pregnancy by teaching adolescent males self-responsibility in the areas of sexual development, decision-making, and relationships. The program is a weekly, 10-session group intervention for adolescent males that is delivered by a staff educator. Each session is approximately 45 to 60 minutes long. The program is offered in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, school athletic programs, faith-based institutions, juvenile detention center, and other community sites. Take Charge of Your Body – A sexual abuse prevention program for children from preschool to sixth grade which uses trained volunteers and staff to teach children how to distinguish between positive, healthy touching and inappropriate, unwanted touching. Educational programming and materials are provided to all parents and adults prior to the children’s programming. The program is offered in elementary schools in the county on a yearly basis. Stewards of Children – A sexual abuse prevention training program that gives adults information in how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Training is offered throughout the community at no cost to any adult who cares about children. Mandatory Reporter Training – Programming provides required Mandatory Reporter certification for youth-serving agencies and other adults working with youth using curriculum consistent with the Iowa Department of Human Services training standards. Baby Safety Project – Provides education and resources as appropriate to assist in keeping children safe in the home and on the road. Car seat safety, safe sleep and child-proofing are the three target areas reached within the program. Additionally, parents or caregivers utilizing the program are referred to other community-based agencies who can provide on-going education and support. Partners for Parenting Families – Serves as the coordinated-intake for parent education and support in Black Hawk County. Trained staff meet with each family who delivers a child at one of the two local hospitals, providing information about community resources and support following discharge. Weekly collaboration meetings are held with over a dozen community agencies to assist in providing each family with programming opportunities tailored to meet their individual needs.