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About Us | |
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Child Advocacy is a non-profit agency with a mission to improve the welfare of children and their families through education, training, and support for the prevention of substance abuse and child abuse and neglect.
Our Staff
Audra Stahl
Executive Director Ronda Sorensen Parent Educator Pam Mahin RRC Coordinator
Lisa Cannon
GCSAC Coordinator
Richelle Davis
Prevention Educator Heather Gardner CAC Coordinator
Brenda Shafley
Office Assistant
Board of Directors President Kent Schulze Dept. of Human Services Vice President Wes Wickes Youth for Christ Treasurer Michael Hetzman Community Mental Health - Gratiot Co. Secretary Kim Vetter MI State Police Mt. Pleasant Post
Lori Apple
Comm. Mental Health - Isabella Co.
Dan Buschle
Alma Products
Wendy Currie
Mid Michigan Dist. Health Dept.
Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Toni Davis Women's Aid Service Rob DuHadway DuHadway Dance Dimensions Tammy Funnell EightCAP David Justin Alma School Board
Jennifer Leppien
Governor's Task Force/Child Abuse & Neglect
Kelly Piotrowski
DHS - Gratiot Co.
Jennifer Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central CMU
Carolyn Studley
Retired - Alma Public Schools |
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Car Seat Safety | |
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Did you know that at Child Advocacy we can install and provide a safety inspection for your child safety seat? Child Advocacy has a nationally certified safety seat technician available!
To make an appointment call 989-463-1422 or 800-552-4489 |
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Permanent Prescription Drop Off
Sites
Alma Police Dept.
525 E. Superior St.
Mon. - Fri.
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Gratiot Co. Sheriff
226 E. Center
Ithaca
open 24 hrs./day
7 days/week
Both sites accept
prescription pills, liquids, and patches. | |
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Lung Clinic | |
Lung cancer is the leading cause of deaths from cancer for both men and women. Tobacco use causes 87 percent of all deaths from lung cancer. Mid-Michigan Cancer Center is offering smoking cessation education.
If you are interested in learning more about the Lung Clinic a free telephone screening is available by calling
989-463-9307
(press 2). | |
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Greetings!
Welcome to 2013!
With every new year, there is a refreshing feeling of starting "new" again. A perfect time to reflect on the past year and to plan for the future.
We are very thankful for a fruitful 2012 and are very excitied about what 2013 has to bring.
Happy Holidays from the
Child Advocacy Staff
Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org. |
Prescription Medications
TIPS for Protecting Your Family
By Lisa Cannon
Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
* Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare professionals to understand why a certain medicine is recommended, what side effects to watch for and any possible interactions with what you are currently using.
* Know what you and your family members are taking -know the ingredients: when, how, and how long to use medicines; as well as what they are supposed to do and when to expect results, and when to contact your doctor or pharmacist if you experience a problem.
* Read and re-read the label - follow the instructions and always double check you have the right medicine for the right person.
* Avoid interactions by knowing which other medicines, dietary supplements, foods and/or beverages might cause problems if used with your prescription medicine.
* Pay attention to the medicine's effects. Ask your children or partner how certain medicines are making them feel.
If you have left over medications or the doctor has changed your prescription, please properly dispose of the unused, unwanted, or outdated medications. In Gratiot County, there are two locations for proper disposal. The Alma Police Department is open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Gratiot County Sheriff's Department is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Both locations will accept pills, patches, and liquids including narcotics.
For more information, visit www.talkaboutrx.org or contact Lisa Cannon, Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator at (989) 462-0142. |
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 How to Talk with Kids
Ages 2-4 to
Prevent Sexual Abuse
By Heather Gardner
CAC Coordinator
Please keep in mind your child's developmental stage, you will need to focus on specific issues and address or avoid certain topics.
Use the correct words - Skip childish names for body parts. Call a vagina a vagina and a penis a penis. This limits the confusion in talking about body parts, so you know what the child is talking about. It improves your child's ability to be able to explain any potential abuse.
Explain what is private - Tell your child that the only person who is allowed to touch private parts are their parent, doctor, and caregiver if your child is in diapers or needs assistance using the bathroom.
Give your child ownership of their body - Has a stranger ever rubbed your child's back and said how cute they are? You may have politely tolerated this behavior. This could be used as a good teachable moment. You could tell the person that you do not feel comfortable with having someone you don't know touching your kids. This will model to your child that it is okay to say "no" to touches from people they do not know, even touches where someone may be coming across as friendly.
Be a Safe Refuge - You may think this is obvious to your child, but clearly state to them that they can tell you if they ever feel confused or scared about anything. You love and support them no matter what happens.
Break the taboo around sexuality - If your 4 year old asks where babies come from, give them a brief, honest, and age appropriate answer. "If we tell a child that she's not old enough to know, or to not ask such questions, then we've given the message that this subject is off-limits", according to Robin Castle, child sexual abuse prevention manager at Prevent Child Abuse Vermont.
Article information obtained from "Protect Your Child from a Predator", By Jessica Snyder Sachs from Parent Magazine.
Stay tuned for next month - we will look at how to talk with kids ages 5 - 8 on preventing abuse.
"Safety and security don't just happen. They are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
-Nelson Mandela- |
Is it Safe to Play Outdoors in the Winter?
Submitted by Pam Mahin
RRC Coordinator
Fresh air is healthy - Studies have shown that contrary to the common belief that "exposure to cold air causes a cold," fresh air is good and healthy. When children and adults spend a long time together in indoor spaces that are small, overheated, and poorly ventilated, germs and illnesses pass easily from one person to another. In fresh, outdoor air, children do not have to rebreathe the germs of the group, and the chance for spreading infection is reduced.
Outdoor play is healthy even in winter - Children of all ages enjoy and benefit from playing outdoors in all except the most extreme weather. Daily outdoor play is healthy and burns energy. It gives children an opportunity for a change of environment, a balance in play, and routine, large muscle activities (gross-motor development). Even children who are mildly ill but active should go outside if the weather is not severe. Staff and children alike will feel refreshed when fresh air is part of the daily routine.
By Rahman Zamani, MPH
California Childcare Health Program |
Smokefree Teens
Submitted by Lisa Cannon
Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator
Please click here to check out the Smokefree Teen website (a CDC-affiliate website) that now has smoke-free text services for those who want to leave tobacco dependence behind them. While the service does not have a fee directly associated with it, it may cost users for individual texts, depending on their current service plan with their cell phone carrier. |
Stranger Danger: Tricks and Lures
By Richelle Davis
Prevention Educator
If you have ever seen the Dateline MSNBC show "To Catch a Predator," you probably wonder what you can do to protect your child from being lured in by a child predator. The best way to keep your children safe is to teach them different tricks and lures that predators may use to steal away your child. Below are a few examples of the most common tricks.
The Help Lure
One trick a predator may use is to ask the child for help. They may ask the child to help them find a lost dog, or help them carry groceries to their car. Children need to be taught that there is no "lost dog." Many times children's natural instincts take over, and they want to be helpful and help someone in need. We need to teach our children to never go anywhere with a stranger to help them do anything! If an adult needs help, they need to ask another adult, not a child.
The Messenger Lure
Another trick a predator may use is to bring bad news to a child and instruct them to come with them right away. For example, they may come to your child and say "Your dad was in an accident and had to go to the hospital. Your mom said to come and pick you up and take you their right away." You should have a family password that only you and your child know for this type of situation. If he doesn't know the family password, your child should refuse to go with him.
The Gift Lure
Sometimes predators may offer children some type of gift to get their attention. It could be the offer of a video game that they have in their car, or an ice cream cone. They may even offer your child money to do a simple job for them. Teach your child to never accept gifts or money from a stranger.
These are only a couple of the tricks a predator may use to lure a child in. The best way to protect your child is by teaching them about typical lures and what to do if they find themselves in these types of situations. Awareness is the key to our children's safety. |
Scheduled Classes
Daycare Provider Trainings
Budget Grocery Shopping and Size Portions
Great Start Parent Coalition
Tuesday, January 15
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Central Assembly of God - Mt. Pleasant
1.5 hours
RSVP to Jennifer Peska - (989) 463-1325 ext. 1114 or
jenniferp@8cap.org
Budget Grocery Shopping and Size Portions
Great Start Parent Coalition
Wednesday, January 16
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Middle of the Mitten Learning Center - Alma
1.5 hours of training
RSVP to Jennifer Peska - (989) 463-1325 ext. 1114 or
jenniferp@8cap.org
Great Start to Quality Orientation
Aids/Relative
Wednesday, January 9
Wilcox Non-Profit Center - Alma
No Cost
Other Trainings/Groups
Surviving your Adolescents-class for Parents of Teens
Starts Monday, January 14 for six sessions on Mon. & Wed.
5:30 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Center - Alma
No Cost
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, January 8
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Youth for Christ - Alma
No Cost
Please call our office at (989) 463-1422 to register or to get more information.
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Family Expo 2013
Saturday, January 26
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Central Michigan Youth for Christ
2550 W. Cheesman Road - Alma
FREE Family Fun for all ages!
This is a valuable one-stop event with informational resources and fun for ALL families of Gratiot County. There will be more then 40 businesses and organizations in Gratiot County on display. Fun activities are planned for the kids including games, interactive activities, clowns, face painting, and more.
If you are interested in participating in the Family Expo as a vendor, please call Child Advocacy at (989) 463-1422. |
Happy New Year!
With a new year comes new hope and a new promise for a brighter future. Our wish for you is a happy, healthy 2013!
See you at the Family Expo. You will not want to miss the fun!
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director |
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