Welcome to the 2015

Why Are We Here?

In 1983, President Reagan declared April National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Since then, April has been a time to acknowledge the importance of families and

communities working together to prevent child abuse.

Why Are We Here?

The Family Service Inc. mission is to strengthen and enhance the well-being of families and individuals throughout the life cycle, and to advocate for a community environment that

nurtures family life and promotes social responsibility.

How do we fulfill our Mission

By offering free programs such as • Child Abuse Prevention Program (CAP)

• Caring Parents• Healthy Families

These programs allow us to educate families in Bartholomew and it’s surrounding counties about the basic protective factors that every

family needs

Protective factors are critical for all parents and caregivers, regardless of the child's age, sex, ethnicity or racial heritage, economic status, special needs or whether he or she is raised by, a single, married, divorced parent or other caregivers.

So, What are the Protective Factors?

• Nurturing and Attachment• Knowledge of Parenting and of Child and

Youth Development• Parental Resilience• Social Connections• Concrete Supports for Parents

How Do We Help Increase These Protective Factors for Our Community

In 2014 alone the Child Abuse Prevention Programs housed by Family Service Inc. provided education to and/or assisted

approximately 11,285 individuals by helping to increase the families protective factors!

Let’s Take a Closer Look At the Programs

Family Service Inc. Offers to Our Community

Child Abuse Prevention

• The Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Program strives to educate all residents of Bartholomew, Jackson and Jennings Counties about child abuse and neglect, promote healthy alternatives and positive parenting practices. Teen volunteers present a "Kids on the Block" skit to

an elementary class.

A Look at CAP 2014

• 2,693 children ,parents, and teachers educated through Kids On The Block performances

• 2,675 total participants for other presentations & trainings

• 40% of the student population from BCSC & Flatrock were educated.

Here’s what Parent’s Had to Say about Kids on the Block Performances…

“I just want to say this is a very good program. It’s great what you all are doing. This has been very helpful with me and my son. Now he is more prepared about strangers and what to expect. Thank You.”

“ Interactive lessons are really effective to teach these lessons, thanks for taking the time.”

“ Thank you for the help and information. My son and his friend came over and both boys spoke with me about the fact that “bullying” was discussed at school today! Thank you!! ”

Caring Parents

• Caring Parents provides community presentations on the topic of Shaken Baby.

• Caring Parents also provides coping with crying, SIDS and depression education to new moms delivering at Columbus Regional Hospital.

A Look at Caring Parents 2014

Columbus Regional Hospital

• 1,145 babies born at CRH

• 99.5% of parents were educated at CRH

• 2,183 parents and visitors educated combined

Schneck (4 months of education) –

• Total educated including

parents and visitors: 115

• Major (4 months of education)

• Total educated including

parents and visitors: 122

So What Do these Parents Think?

Through a follow up call to one mom who received Period of Purple Crying education, mom shared that her baby did go through a time when baby was fussy for 2 to 3 hours a night for a few weeks. Mom shared the information was helpful and that she belongs to a moms group that she took the information to.

Healthy FamiliesHealthy Families of Bartholomew County is a voluntary home visitation program designed to promote healthy families and healthy children through a variety of services including child development, access to health care, and parent education.

A Look at Healthy Families 2014

• 103 families provided home visiting services

• 1317 home visits completed

• 76.67% 3 month retention rate.

• 35 families participated in at least 1 Healthy Families Group event

What the Parents Thought…

Why did you choose Healthy Families

“I knew that it would help me understand my child and help me be a better mother and also help my child to learn.”

“I love how family first you are. I think the way you have set up your program is amazing. By not judging, you are setting amazing examples for families.”

What do you enjoy most about your home visitor?

“She has my child's best interest in mind and is always doing things that will help her learn/develop.”

“Having someone kind of to help you along the way to give knowledge of what you can and should be doing and what to watch out for.”

A Success StorySince beginning the Healthy Families program early in 2014, this 19 year old mom has came a long way. At our first meeting with mom she was not 100% sure about the program. Mom was living with the father of the baby and his family. Mom’s family was unsupportive of her pregnancy and this lead to a lot of family hostility. Mom did not work and had a limited social life. Over the past year, mom and dad were married and have secured a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment. Mom and dad are both currently employed. Mom and dad are both very involved with their son and are appreciative of any information and resources their home visitor shares. They enrolled their son in swim lessons last summer and are currently working on enrolling in some programs at FFY. Baby is on track developmentally and is a very happy little guy. Mom is also currently working on getting her driver’s license. The family is expecting their 2nd child in a few months and could not be happier. Mom completed her goals of learning developmental milestones helping their son meet those milestones, and researching career fields. Current goals being worked on are: preparing for the new baby, getting mom’s driver’s license and getting son to sleep in his own room.

• You have already started the process just by being here this evening!

• All Proceeds from tonight’s event will go to help fund these programs so that we can continue to offer these free services to our community.

• Volunteer Opportunities are always available as well.

How Can You Help Make a Difference?

Show Kids You Care

• Smile a lot • Acknowledge them• Ask them about

themselves• Look into their eyes

when you talk to them• Play with them

Show Kids You Care

• Hug them• Be honest• Listen to their stories• Keep promises you

make• Inspire their creativity

“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”

–Forest E Witcraft

Congratulations to Our 2015 Prom CourtDon’t forget to vote for your favorite candidates!

Kelly Baker Victoria Griffin Beth Jones Stacey Stillenger Whitney Wilber

Bryan Kendall Pete LawBrandon Macy Courtney McCoy Jeff Zike

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors

A Special Thank You to Our Sponsors