Question 1

Exactly What is the Child Protection Council?

Accepted Answer

The Wexford-Missaukee Child Protection Council is the local council of the State of Michigan’s Children’s Trust Fund and national Prevent Child Abuse America that serves as a voice for the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect.  We seek to educate parents, caregivers and community members on various issues surrounding this growing epidemic.  Our focus is on the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens, which then strengthens our families and our community.    Our mission is to support programs and opportunities in the community focused on the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect, including services that promote family support, safety and child development education.

Question 2

What does the prevention coordinator do?

Accepted Answer

The Prevention Coordinator’s job is to provide community education and awareness on the importance of preventing child abuse before it happens:  I attend numerous community meetings, share information with other agencies, work with the hospital OB department and pediatrician offices to provide program trainings, materials and information as requested, perform public speaking engagements in the community, in schools, and for Babysitting Basics classes,  collaborate on community events and set up informational tables at events and conferences.  I work closely with the State on reporting and meeting grant and program fidelity requirements.  I also contract with other agencies to provide child development, safety, and child abuse prevention education.  Our council’s current programming is focused on Infant Safe Sleep, Shaken Baby Syndrome/Period of PURPLE Crying, Distracted Parenting, and education on child abuse prevention.  We focus strongly on development of Protective Factors for families and youth and on education of ACE’s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) to increase awareness of the effects of trauma and the importance of resilience.

Question 3

Where is your office and how many peolpe work there?

Accepted Answer

We do not have office space or a staff.  The Prevention Coordinator is a contracted service at 10 hours a week.  Any additional hours are volunteered.  All board and executive board members are community and agency volunteers.  We meet once a month to plan events and exchange information.  Our mailing address is P.O. Box 1031, Cadillac, MI 49601.

Question 4

Why are prevention programs important?

Accepted Answer

When we don’t make the healthy growth and development of our children a top priority, we jeopardize our future. --- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that each victim of child abuse will cost the nation approximately $210,000 over the course of their lifetime.  According to Prevent Child Abuse America, the U.S. spends over $120 billion each year on services focused on everything from mental health to juvenile justice.  However, the cost of primary prevention is 96 to 98 percent LESS than reactionary services. --- Prevention is the right thing to do and it offers a strong return on the investment.

Question 5

Who funds your orginization and what is your operating budget?

Accepted Answer

Our funding comes from the Children’s Trust Fund from the State of Michigan.  The funds are from a restricted trust that was established by Public Act 250 in 1982.  Our two county council receives $11,000 each year to use toward programs and services for the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect.  We also operate from donations (which are tax deductable) and in-kind services.  We are a non-profit 501 C(3) agency.  Donations are essential to our work.