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Cass County non-profit organization selected to receive Child Abuse Prevention Funds

News

August 18th, 2011 by Ric Hanson

A Cass County non-profit organization has been selected to receive grants from the Iowa Child Abuse Prevention Program (ICAPP), and administered by Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. Following a competitive application process, The Lullabye Foundation’s Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council will use the nearly $10,750 grant to provide home visits and community awareness in Cass County, through its Parents as Teachers program. The Cass County Parents as Teachers program provides home visits to families in Cass County. The program offers child development information, parent education, group connections, and car seat installations. Parents as Teachers serves families who have children prenatal to age 5 years. This universal access program has been available in our community for almost 12 years and has served families county wide. The Cass County Parents as Teachers program currently serves 10 families with ICAPP funds.

Amber Russell, ICAPP director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa said in a news release, “As a recipient of ICAPP funds, The Cass County Child Abuse Council, is among leading organizations in the state that are taking on the national issue of child abuse,” and they are proud to partner with Cass County. Russell said child abuse is preventable, but it will take individuals and organizations coming together to tackle the issue from a statewide, community, and individual level.

Kristen Templeton, group facilitator, said the ICAPP funds will ensure the Cass County Child Abuse Council can expand community awareness.The local council meets quarterly, and is currently seeking new members. In addition to the Parents as Teachers program, the council conducts community awareness. In April, the council and Washington Elementary School in Atlantic partnered up to promote Pinwheels for Prevention. Students participated in a coloring contest and the pictures were displayed in downtown Atlantic business windows to raise awareness in Cass County. Prizes were awarded to the winners of the contest. Pinwheels were also displayed on the Cass County Courthouse lawn.

ICAPP funding derives from federal and state appropriations, and birth certificate fees. Every year, Iowans also have the opportunity to support ICAPP by donating a portion of their state income tax return through the Check Off Child Abuse campaign. All funds raised directly support child abuse prevention programs in local communities.