CA with tag line

525 N. State Street · Suite 4 · Alma, MI 48801

(989) 463-1422

"Love and respect

are the most important

aspects of parenting,

and of all relationships."

- Jodie Foster -

In This Issue

Back to School with Protect Yourself

Upcoming Events

Suicide Prevention

Summer Check-In

Scheduled Classes

About Us

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

Pam Mahin

Office Manager

Ty Warczinsky

GCSAC Coordinator

Richelle Davis

Prevention Educator

Heather Gardner

CAC Coordinator

Michelle Zombeck

CASA Coordinator

Brenda Shafley

Event/Volunteer Coordinator

Board of Directors

President

Wes Wickes

Youth for Christ

Vice President

Jennifer Leppien

CASA

Treasurer

Carolyn Studley

Community Representative

Secretary

Kelly Piotrowski

Dept. of Human Services

Lori Apple

Comm. Mental Health - Isabella Co.

Wendy Currie

Mid Michigan Dist. Health Dept.

Colleen Davis

Prosecuting Attorney's Office

Carolyn Hilley
Gratiot Co. Comm. Mental Health

Rob DuHadway

DuHadway Dance Dimensions

Donalynn Ingersoll
Principal, Luce Rd. Elementary

David Justin

Alma School Board

Mike Morris

Detective, Gratiot Co. Sheriff's Dept.

Jennifer Siefker

Tri Lakes Petroleum

Jennifer Stambaugh

DeafBlind Central CMU

Kim Vetter

MI State Police

Joe Yourchock

Community Representative

Car
Seat Safety

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

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.

Your Feedback!

I loved spending the day with my daughter!! I liked that the sessions were short and concise, but very timely information. All speakers were very prepared. I hope you have more of these in the future!

from a Mother who attended our Mother/Daughter Conference in 2013!

Quick Links

Add us on Facebook!

Visit us on the Web

Great Start for Kids

Gratiot Co. Substance Abuse Coalition

Welcome back to another school year! Child Advocacy has been gearing up for another year of community events and parenting class offerings. Check us out on Facebook to follow an up to date schedule of activities and events hosted by Child Advocacy!

Enjoy,

Child Advocacy Staff

Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org.

Back to School with Protect Yourself

By: Richelle Davis

Prevention Educator

It's that time of year again. Children all over the country are preparing for a brand new year of school. We are super excited to begin the school year so we can bring the Protect Yourself Program to a whole new group of children.

As students begin to settle into a routine we will begin the Protect Yourself Program in all of the first and third grade classrooms in the county. These schools include: Alma, Ithaca, St. Louis, Breckenridge, Ashley, Fulton, and St. Mary's School in Alma.

The Protect Yourself Program consists of a series of five lessons that empower kids with the knowledge to keep themselves safe in a variety of dangerous situations. The lessons include identifying dangerous situations, feelings and instincts, tricks strangers may use, good touch/bad touch, and who to tell if you have a problem.

Last year the Protect Yourself Program was brought to over 800 students in Gratiot County. If you have a first or third grader, be looking for us to visit your child's classroom and be ready to discuss these topics with them.

Upcoming Events

Mom2Mom Sale

Saturday, October 18

9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Alma Middle School & Central Michigan Youth for Christ

Contact Youth for Christ at (989) 463-4274 for booth information.

Mother/Daughter Conference 2014

"A Day of Empowerment for Women and Girls"

Saturday, October 25

9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

St. Mary School - Alma

For registration information, contact Brenda at Child Advocacy (989) 463-1422.

CASA Trivia Night

Saturday, November 22

6:00 p.m.

Alma Elks Lodge

For event information, please contact Michelle Zombeck at (989) 463-1422.

Suicide Prevention

By Ty Warczinsky

GCSAC Coordinator

On August 11th, 2014, news broke that Robin Williams completed his suicide attempt. This story hit the news and made headlines all over the United States. The news of his death is so tragic and has hit home for many of us because the characters he portrayed will shape our memories and warm our hearts as long as we are alive.

What should hit even closer to home is the fact that here in Gratiot County, since the first of the year, we have already had 11 suicides completed in eight months. These stats only include the deaths that are ruled suicides and do not include those who have attempted suicide.

This is a growing problem that our community needs to be aware of address to possibly prevent another victim. The Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition offers Question, Persuade and Referral (QPR) training. These trainings are free of charge and can be conducted at your place of work or the GCSAC can help set up a time and an alternate location for the training. Let's do all we can to prevent another tragedy. If you are interested in having a QPR training contact: Ty Warczinsky at (989)463-1422 or ty@linkforfamilies.org.

QPR Training Objectives:

After Training, QPR participants should be able to:

1. Recognize someone at risk for suicide or warning signs of suicide

2. Intervene with those at risk

3. Refer him/her to an appropriate resource

Summer Check-In

By: Heather Gardner

CAC Coordinator

Summer sure did fly by! This seems to be the general consensus of people I talk with. Summer is filled with family reunions, vacations, weddings, water activities, and fun in the sun. So many places to go and people to see! This summer has also been very busy at the CAC, with us conducting over 25 forensic interviews in the past month.

For all the reasons I just mentioned that summer is fun, these are also times when children are abused. I encourage you as we transition into the fall, check in with kids and ask this simple question, "how was your summer?" For some kids the answer will be "it was great!", but for some, listen closely to their answer. If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected contact the abuse hotline at 855-444-3911. Please contact our offices if you would like further information on The Children's Advocacy Center of Gratiot County at (989)463-1422.

Scheduled Classes/Trainings

ACT Parenting Class

for parents of Children 0 - 8 years old

Starts Monday, September 22 and meets on Monday's and Wednesday's for three weeks.

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wilcox Non-Profit Center - Alma

Please call Child Advocacy to register.

Nurturing Parenting Program

for parents and their school-age children (5-11 years)

Starts Thursday, October 2 and meets for 10 consecutive Thursday's)

5:00 p.m. Light Dinner is served

5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Class

United Methodist Church - St. Louis

Please call Child Advocacy to register.

Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group

Tuesday, September 9

6:00 p.m.

Youth for Christ - Alma

First Aid/CPR/AED Training

Saturday, September 27

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Alma

Cost $5.00

Contact American Red Cross at (989) 463-3209 to register.

First Aid/CPR/AED Training

Saturday, October 11

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca

Cost $5.00

Contact American Red Cross at (989) 463-3209 to register.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Training

Starts Monday, September 15.

Contact Michelle Zombeck at michelle@linkforfamilies.org or at (989) 463-1422 for more information.

Please call our office with questions about any of the above classes/workshops at (989) 463-1422.

Farewell to Ronda ~
In August we bid Ronda Sorensen, Parent Educator, a fond farewell. Ronda has decided to retire after dedicating 40 years of service to children and their families in Gratiot County. Ronda worked for 30 years at the Department of Human Services as a Foster Care and Child Protective Services Worker. After Ronda retired from DHS she decided her work with Gratiot County's families was not done, so she began working at Child Advocacy teaching parenting classes. The staff at Child Advocacy will miss Ronda's wisdom and expertise. She has been a great mentor to all of us here at Child Advocacy.

On a personal note I would like to thank Ronda for all of her support and guidance the past 4 years. Ronda encouraged me to take the position as the Executive Director in 2010 and she has been cheering me on ever since. While working to develop the Children's Advocacy Center, it was Ronda who continually reminded me that our children need this program. During difficult times, when there was no funding or roadblocks were put in the way, I thought I couldn't continue on with the work, it was Ronda who would whisper in my ear, "Do it for the kids." Ronda never doubted the CAC project, the need for it in this community, or my ability to develop the program. I will forever be grateful for her encouragement, support, and sound advice.

Ronda ~ I thank you for being my Mentor, my support, and my friend. You will be missed!

Sincerely,

Audra Stahl

Executive Director