Child Abuse Prevention Ties that Bind and Heal Community Action of Southern Kentucky’s (CASOKY) Community Collaborations for Children (CCC), 921 Beauty Ave. in Bowling Green, offers child abuse prevention programs for adults who struggle with parenting. Parents can be referred by an agency or can refer themselves. Services include in home services for a minimum of six to eight weeks or parent groups which meet weekly for 6-8 weeks. The CCC focuses on the prevention of child abuse and neglect while strengthening the power of families. An example of how we can help struggling families can be shown through our work with Rebecca, her husband and three children. The Department of Community Based Services (DCBS) Protection and Permanency referred her for services and temporarily placed her children with relatives because of environmental concerns including keeping the house clean and organized, time management, finances, and discipline. Rebecca was receptive to working with CCC. When the case opened, her family had already addressed the environmental concerns. Rebecca told me she was “so ashamed of the way they found the house and at herself for letting it get that way.” She thought she may have been depressed at that time because she “slept a lot.” She is proud of the improvements and works to keep the house clean. CCC provided information, modeling, and
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coaching on setting up a routine for the household including a cleaning schedule, appointment calendar, budgeting, goal setting and rules and responsibilities for all household members. Rebecca shared with the CCC team her history of drug abuse and felony charges. She repeatedly told us “I would do anything to keep from losing my children again.” Rebecca participated in parenting curriculum 1,2,3,4, Parents! Parenting your 1 to 4 year old and Active Parenting of Teens. Rebecca received needed dental treatment through CCC before the case closed. When I arrived at the home on the day her case closed, she stated “I feel like I have done something.” Rebecca has faced other challenges during the time CCC worked with her and her family. However, she demonstrated the skills to make good decisions and be assertive with her children and community resources. Her goal is to go back to school. We look forward to doing the six month follow-up because we feel confident this family will continue to grow safely together. Parenting is not easy and CASOKY wants those who need help to know that there are programs and services available. Child abuse is preventable – learning more about appropriate parenting is one sure way to help prevent child abuse. <
bowling green
feb / mar / apr 2013
PA R E N T