CityView Magazine

Center does to promote awareness and educate the community on how to recognize the signs of abuse in children and what to do when abuse is suspected. Another important program is the Darkness to Light children's training program. The Center���s goal is to train 5 percent of the Cumberland County population, adding up to just over 11,000 people, by 2016. Working towards that goal, they have trained close to 4,000 people already to be stewards of child abuse prevention work. An initiative that also involves education and awareness is the Partner In Prevention Seal. Local organizations and schools can apply to take training courses and work towards a certification status after meeting set requirements. The advantage of this program is that the organizations are recognized for ensuring safe practices involving children within their organization and awarded a seal. The seal can be used for their company���s purpose as part of their advertising to give them more credibility over other organizations without one. The 32 | April ��� 2013 Debbie Jenkins, Buntie Russ, Howard Loughlin and Beth Keever seal is renewable each year upon meeting the criteria for all staff and volunteers involved. In 2010 the Child Advocacy Center launched a program using therapy dogs to meet and greet children and families at the facility for interviews relat- ing to child abuse. Eight therapy dogs were featured in their spring newsletter. The dog handlers ensure their dogs are certified, and the dogs consist of many different breeds. The dogs bring stress relief to the children by helping to calm and reduce anxiety levels. In accordance with the Center���s mission of education and awareness, the Child Advocacy Center is hosting an annual Child Abuse Conference with breakout sessions on April 23, at the J.D. Fuller Recreation Center. The event is free to the public and geared toward those working to prevent child abuse. One of the keynote speakers is Darlene Ellison, the author of the book ���The Predator Next Door���. Ellison���s ex-husband was arrested as part of an FBI sting operation for the North American Man Boy Love Association (NAMBLA). Her focus will be on the secondary victims to the predator and the impact her husband���s arrest had on her and her family members. Activities planned to commemorate the Center���s anniversary during the month of April will include an open house on April 18 from 5 to 7:30p.m. to walk through the facility and learn about the Child Advocacy Center���s mission. There will be an opportunity for donors of all levels to name one of the many rooms after a loved one. Funds raised through these efforts will be used to retire the burden of the mortgage. CV

• Cover