II. PREVENTION SPECIFICS

II. PREVENTION SPECIFICS

A. Information listing of current prevention activities for Taylor County involving government and local agencies, including any special or pilot projects are listed below:

1. City, County, State and Federal Government activities are as follows:

Abilene-Taylor County Child Advocacy Center (Bet Ribordy,738-8063),(www.abilenepolice.com)

Investigation

Information and referral

Education

Child Abuse Prevention Coalition (CAP team)

Services for non-abusive parent (Jana Owens)

Child Protective Services (691-8190) (www.tdprs.state.tx.us)

Takes reports of abuse and neglect through statewide hotline

Investigates

Family based safety services

Develops parenting skills

Identifies high risk situations

CAPS-Statewide tracking system

Family Outreach

Community Partners

Child Protective Services Board of Directors

Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities-April

Community Partners

Adopt a Caseworker

Bluebonnet Room

Distributes pencils, balloons, bumper stickers and "scripto" booklets

Information booths

City Recreation Programs (676-6217) (www.abilenetx.com)

Rec. Superintendent: Carl Scott, 734-5306/scottc@abilenetx.com

Education programs

Identify and report abuse

Information and referral

District Attorney’s Office (674-1261) (http://www.taylorcountytexas.org)

Prosecution, probation and counseling

Protective Orders

District Judge-Family Court

Court-ordered program participation

Training and education

Dyess Air Force Base (696-5499) (www.dyess.af.mil)

Child/Spouse Abuse Recognition/Prevention Presentations

Prevention/Education Articles

New Parent Support Program

Child Abuse Prevention month activities

Common Sense Parenting

Parenting video series (monthly)

Community Mayfest

Anger management groups

Stress management groups

Strengthening Stepfamilies program

Single Parent Association programs

Information and referral

Family & Consumer Science Committee (Taylor County Extension Service - Gary Bomar, 672-6048)

(http://taylor-tx.tamu.edu) (g-bomar@tamu.edu) (http://taylor-+x.tamu.edu)

Parenting Skills programs

Education

Information and referral

Grandparents as Parents

Abilene-Taylor County Health Department (city, county and state) (692-5600)

(www.abilenetx.com/healthdept/) (healthde@abilenetx.com)

Identifies at-risk families/parents

Case managers visit in homes & make referrals

Abilene Shots Across Texas Coalition

Harmony Family Services, Inc.

305 Grape St., Abilene

672-7200

Jamie Breed breedhfs@camalott.com

Foster Care

Suzanne Bailey 672-7200 sbailey@camalott.com

Emergency Shelter Care for children and youth ages 6-17

Sheila Bynum 672-7200

Services to Runaway and Homeless Youth

Tiajuana Williams 370-0354 or 1-800-811-9208

Juvenile Probation (691-7462)

(http://www.taylorcountytexas.org)

Identifies & reports child abuse at intake (may recommend parenting classes)

Provides placement services

Counseling

Information and referral

Police and Sheriff Department (APD 673-8331, David Gage)(SO 674-1333, Melinda Kraley)

(www.abilenepolice.com) (http://www.taylorcountytexas.org/sheriff.html)

Investigates, intervenes and eliminates abuse

Provides family violence notices

Community Services Programs

Information and referral

Abilene Independent School District (677-1444) (www.aisd.org) (See Appendix D)

Comprehensive Developmental Guidance Program (Grades Pre-K to 12)

Individual and Small Group Counseling

Classroom Guidance (Pre-K to 5)

Identify and report child abuse/neglect

Information and referral

Parenting Programs for AISD

Families-Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEPS)

Pregnancy Education and Parenting Program (671-4645)

Adult Education (671-4419)

At-Risk Program

Headstart

Early Headstart-Single/Teen Mother Support Systems and Case Management

Communities in School (Grades 9-12)

Aim for Success, AISD 6^th grade—(on-going)

Curriculum and Instruction: (671-4050)

Life Management Skills (Grades 7-8)

Parenting education of school-age parents (Grades 9-12) (671-4521)

Advanced Child Development (Grades 10-12)

Individual and Family Living (Grades 10-12)

Child Care and Guidance, Management and Services (Grades 11-12)

Other School Systems and Programs:

Wylie ISD (692-4353) (www.wylie.esc14.net)

Merkel ISD (928-5813) (www.merkel.esc14.net)

Trent ISD (862-6125) (www.esc14.net/trentisd/index.htm)

Jim Ned ISD (554-7500) (www.esc14.net/schools/~jimned/)

Region 14 Education Service Center (675-8600) (www.esc14.net)

4-H and Youth Programs (672-6048) (Taylor County Extension Service)

Teaches Values and Leadership

Identify and report child abuse

Information and referral

2. Local prevention activities, including special and pilot projects:

Abilene Psychiatric Center, (Karin Patterson, 795-9140) Brenda Hendrix-Smith, director of Social Services, 698-6600, 4225 Woods Place Abilene, TX 79608, 24-hour crisis line:1-800-335-3498

Abilene Regional Counsel on Alcohol and Drug AbusePrevention Resource Center (Mary Busby, 673-3503)

ECI- Advancing Babies Chances (Marie Farrell, 627-0908) (mfarrell@bhcmhmr.org) (www.camalott.com/~ abc/) (clouden@camalott.com)

Ben Richey Boys Ranch (Kerry Fortune, 692-2500)(www.benrichey.org) (kfortune@benrichey.org)

Boys Group homes

Counseling

Workskills development programs

Big Brothers/Big Sisters (Janet Ardoyno, 677-7839) (www.bbbsabilene.org) (bigs@bbbsabilene.org)

Grandfriends Program

At Risk Mentoring Program

Facilitates one-to-one friendship relationships between adult volunteers and children from one parent homes

Boys and Girls Club (Teresa Walch, 672-1712) (www.bgc@abilene.com)(Email: www.bgcabilene.com@bgcabilene.com)

Youth Activities

Guidance programs

Keystone Club and SMART MOVES

Boy Scouts (Kent Brown, 677-2688) (www.texastrails.org) (kebrown@bsa.org)

Information and referral

Education

Identify and report child abuse

Child Care Program Operations – (Pam Lindsay, 795-4283)

Provides training and recognition of child abuse and neglect programs for licensed child care facilities and family home day care providers

Christian Homes of Abilene (677-2205)(www.christianhomes.com) (attention@christianhomes.com)

Maternity residential care

Child placement for adoption

Foster care

Pregnancy prevention

Counseling

City of Abilene (Youth program coordinator: Deydra Williams, 676-6302)

Teen Court and Community Service

Community Foundation of Abilene (676-3883) (www.cfabilene.org)(cfa@abilene.com)

Educational Program Sponsors

Teenage pregnancy prevention

Crime Victim Crisis Center (677-7895)

(Judy Kingery, Exec. Director; Donna Kitrick and Pam Williams,

child caseworkers)(www.regionalcrime.org)(judy@regionalcrime.org)

24-hour hotline

Crisis intervention team responses

Services to all victims of violent crimes against persons

Free counseling services for sexual assault victims and survivors of homicide

Prevention and awareness programs for sexual assault crimes

WHO (Anti-victimization for grades K-12) Linda Walker, Education Coordinator

Family Outreach of Abilene (Michael Murphy, Danette Cummings,672-6459)

(www.abilenementalhealth.org/needhelp/children/family)

One-on-one casework services to families identified as at-risk for abuse or neglect

Speakers Bureau/Education

Parenting classes (birth-18)

Visitation/exchange program

Children of Divorce program

Short term assistance

Food Pantry

Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities

Single Moms Support Group

Resource Library

Information and referral

Special project: Nationwide Candlelight Vigil (2nd Sunday in April)

Foster Parent Association

Homes for abused or neglected children

Ongoing training and education

Training for dealing with abused children

Harmony Family Services (691-2800)
(www.hfsi.org) (jerrywh@camalott.com)
        Emergency Shelter Care (age 6-17)
        In-home family preservation services (contract with CPS)
        Services to truants, runaways, and at-risk youth and their families (8-17)
      (Star Program) (Laurie     Beck, 738-0029)
        Counseling services (Angie Penton, 738-0017)
        Parent education/child development
        Texas Families: Together and Safe (angiehfs@camalott.com) (738-0029)Therapeutic Foster Care
        First Offenders Program
        Teach coping/communication skills

Hendrick Family Health Care (Hendrick Health Systems, www.ehendrick.org)
        Identify and report child abuse
        Education
        Medical treatment
        Information and referral

Hendrick Home for Children (David Miller/David Perkins, 692-0112)
        (www.hendrickhome.com) (hendrick@abilene.com)
        Long Term Basic Residential Care
        Counseling
        Family Care Program

Hendrick Hospice(www.hendrickhospice.org) Melissa Montes, 677-8516
Camp Courage: provides supportive environment and coping skills for children who have experienced a loss.
Rainbows (Sharra Sampson, 677-8516)
Resource for parents
Resource for children of divorce

High Sky Children’s Ranch, 3525 Rolling Green (695-2000)

Just People, 304 Grape (672-2118 or 672-8834)

InfoAbilene (www.infoAbilene.org) Information on abuse/neglect, adoption, child \ care, counseling, education, health care, respite, after school programs, support and resources, foster care.

Medical Care Mission (Scott Golding, 672-5601)
        Information and referral
        Identify, report and treat child abuse/neglect
        Education
(Kermit Klaerner, Program Director, 673-2300)Mental Health Association
        (www.abilenementalhealth.org) (mhaa@abilenementalhealth.org)
        Crisis Line
        Information and referral
        Suicide prevention classes
        Alternatives to Violence Program

Mental Health/Mental Retardation-Betty Hardwick Center, 2616 S. Clack
        (Robbye Plummer, 690-5100) (www.bhcmhmr.org)
        Case management
        Counseling
        Information and referral
        Identify and report abuse

Ministry of Counseling and Enrichment, 1502 N. 1st (672-9999)
Adolescent Program for at risk teens
Self-Esteem

NOAH Project (Dee Wilson, 676-7107) (www.noahproject.org) (noahproj@camalott.com)
        Shelter
        Counseling for adults and children involved in family maltreatment
        Prescriptions for the Next Step
        Family violence support groups
        Counseling on parenting skills and domestic violence issues
        Counseling with children
        Healing Hurting Hearts program (K-12)
                School Education
                Intervention and Prevention
                Anger-Management Training
                Safety Planning
                Teen Dating Violence Program
        Community presentation/education
        Crisis line
        Identify and report child abuse
        Information and referral
        Outreach counseling

Parents Anonymous (Melanie Copeland, 672-2721) (www.parentingplace.org) (parentsanonymous@abilene.com)
        Community Based Family Resource Support
        Support Groups
        Education programs
        Information and referral
        Identify and report abuse
        Take Time for Children
        I Am Your Child Program on brain development

Parents as Teachers (Taylor/Callahan Education Co-op)
        (Sherry Ferguson, 673-8971) (Jodelle Oakley, 671-4613) (jodelleO@aisd.org)
        Education and training for parenting and child development
        Information and referral
        Identify and report child abuse

Pastoral Care and Counseling Center, 1317 N. 18th, Ste. 200, 672-5683
Teen pregnancy prevention counseling

Physicians and Medical Facilities
        Counseling/Referrals
        Identify injuries
        Monitoring and early intervention

Pregnancy Counseling Services of Abilene, Inc., 1317 N. 8th (672-6415)
        Confidential testing
        Counseling
        Information and Referral

Salvation Army – (army@abilene.com) (Faye Jones, 677-1408)
        Financial Crisis Assistance
        Drug and Alcohol Recovery and Counseling
        Life Skills Classes
        Anger Management
        Budget Counseling
        Character Building programs for youth, ages 5-18
        Information and Referral

Serenity House (673-6489)
        Power Connection
        Prevention/Intervention Programs for children
        Counseling for substance abuse
        Information and referral
        Education

United Way (Dixie Bassett, 677-1841) (www.unitedwayabilene.org)
        (uwab@unitedwayabilene.com)
        Aim of Success
        Community Initiatives
        Provide Outcome Measure-Stewardship committee
        InfoAbilene.org—internet resource
        Search Institute Research Project
        What’s Happening for Children

West Texas Girl Scouts (Shirley Olsen, 670-0432) (wtgsc@hotmail.com)
        Teen Moms Program and summer camp
        Education
        Information and referral
        Identify and report abuse

West Texas Rehabilitation Center (793-3400) (www.westtexasrehab.org) (info@wtrc.com)
        Parent Case Management Program
        Education
        One-on-one services for families with special needs children
        Support groups
        Information and referral

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) (692-5600, 2241 S. 19th St.) (672-1378, 2347 N. 6th)
        (www.abilenetx.com) (healthde@abilenetx.com)
        Supplemental food and nutrition
        Education
        Identify and report abuse
        Information and referral

Young Life (Eva Stalls, 676-1211)
Teen Mother Mentoring Program

Young at Heart (retired senior volunteer program) Denise Hall (www.tdprs.state.tx.us)(hallda@tdprs.state.tx.us)

Community Initiatives for Child Care Licensing

YMCA (677-8144, 3250 State St.) (695-3400, 3125 S. 32nd St.)(jplowman@abileneymca.org)
        (www.abileneymca.org)(ywca@abilene.org)(ywca@abilene.org)
        Education
        Information and referral
        Identify and report child abuse
        Child care/ISP

YWCA (677-5321, 1350 N. 10th St.) (www.ywcaabilene.org) ywca@abilene.org
        Education
        Information and referral
        Identify and report child abuse
        Child care

PTA/PTO organizations
Parenting programs
Education

Churches (See Appendix C)
        Parenting programs
        Education
        Counseling
        Information and referral

Counseling Services
Taylor County has numerous individual counselors, university programs and agencies providing these services

B. The barriers to reduce child abuse and neglect in Taylor County have been identified as:
        Availability: computers or technologies
        Difficulty in locating facilities
        Failure to report out of fear, apathy or embarrassment
        Abuser fails to get help
        Mental illness
        Mental Incapacity/Immaturity
        Changes within Child Protective and Regulatory Services system--staff
        Lack of education regarding child development and appropriate expectations
        Mental/Emotional abuse is hard to document and prove
        Cycles of violence within families
        Teen pregnancy
        Minimal parenting skills
        Economic/financial problems
        Child care not a priority
        Latch-key children
        Lack of education or marketing information regarding child abuse
        Lack of awareness of resources/programs available
        Isolation
        Language
        Lack of sufficient staff/volunteers
        Mobile society (statewide tracking system in place as of September, 1996.)
        Families don’t want to change or don’t "see" their problems
        TDPRS loss of programs (state funding cuts)
        Substance abuse (drugs and alcohol)
        Legal issues, which often affect ability to offer protection and prevent further abuse
        Not all programs are available county wide

C. The following new activities are being developed and their probable implementation dates:
No new activity known at this time.