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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
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 Stambaugh
DeafBlind Central CMU
Kim Vetter
MI State Police
Joe Yourchock
Community Representative
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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 Drug Drop Off
Site
Gratiot Co. Sheriff
226 E. Center
Ithaca
open 24 hrs./day
7 days/week
The site accepts
prescription pills, liquids, and patches.
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| Your Feedback!
My favorite part at the Mother Daughter Conference was about confidence, dreams, and self esteem!
from a young girl who attended our Mother/Daughter Conference in 2013!
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Happy Halloween!
This month we offer two special events. Please consider attending one of the Emerging Drugs Trends presentations. This presentation is very informative about drug issues in Gratiot County.
Secondly, we are excited to offer the second annual Mother/Daughter Conference. This day is designed to inform and empower women and girls. The keynote speaker is a young, motivated, entrepreneur from Gratiot County along with break-out sessions on hot topics.
Enjoy,
Child Advocacy Staff
Check out our website www.linkforfamilies.org.
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We Still Have a Need
By: Michelle Zombeck
CASA Coordinator
The fall training for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Gratiot County has already started but we are still actively recruiting for our next training class. The need for volunteer advocates in this community continues to grow. The children in Gratiot County need your voice to speak up on their behalf.
A safe, loving and permanent home is what children in foster care long for and you as a volunteer are empowered by the courts to make this dream a reality. Not only do the advocates of Gratiot County bring positive change to the lives of these vulnerable children, but also their children and generations to come.
Speak up and speak out, make a difference for children who are involved in abuse and neglect cases by becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate. Learn more about Court Appointed Special by calling Child Advocacy at 989-463-1422 or email [email protected] to sign up for the next informational meeting.
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Upcoming Events
Emerging Drug Trends (Two locations/Dates)
Wednesday, October 1
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Alma Public Library
Wednesday, October 15
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Ithaca Community Center
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.
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Connecting Through Giggles and Tears
Submitted by Pam Mahin
Office Manager
Emotional moments - whether happy, sad, or fearful are the times kids naturally turn to you for support. The way you deal with these moments can help your child learn how to handle strong feelings now and in years to come.
When a child is filled with giggles or overwhelmed with tears, use these times as opportunities to help you child recognize emotions and grow closer. Feelings are not something to be ignored. By responding with patience, empathy and understanding, you can help your child learn self-control, build self-confidence, do better in school and get along with others.
Laughing along with a child is easy but handling an angry child can be quite the challenge. You might feel uncomfortable and frustrated. He may be confused or overwhelmed. Dismissing his feelings as silly or not important or responding with threats of bribery will not help.
Understanding a child's feelings may take some detective work and a little patience. After all, he may not understand his own feelings either. But being close and letting him know you care will help him to feel secure in expressing his feelings.
Take the time to listen to you child and understand what she is feeling. Help her to identify her feelings with words she can use like "angry," "hurt," or "frustrated." By talking about emotions early and often, you help children learn how to handle their feelings at home, at school, and for the rest of their lives. It takes years to learn to understand and react well to our feelings - especially strong feelings and changing moods. By valuing emotions, you are teaching your kids that feelings count.
Source: Parenting Counts
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Scheduled Classes/Trainings
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Tuesday, October 14
6:00 p.m.
Youth for Christ - Alma
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.
ACT Parenting Class
for parents of Children 0 - 8 years old
Starts Tuesday, November 4 and meets on Tuesday's and Thursday's for three weeks.
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Center - Alma
Call Child Advocacy to register.
Please call our office with questions about any of the above classes/workshops at (989) 463-1422.
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Amazon Smile Foundation
Did you know you can donate money to Child Advocacy when you purchase items from Amazon? Click here when shopping and Amazon will donate .5% to Child Advocacy.
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Happy October!
We are so happy to be back in full swing at Child Advocacy. As you can see by the above schedules, we have a lot going on this Fall. Please consider joining us for one of the "Emerging Drug Trends" presentations offered in October. Gratiot County has seen a rise in Prescription drug abuse, Meth, and Heroin use over the past year and with this an overall increase in crime in our community. The Emerging Drug Trends presentation will give you facts, information, and tips on what to look for in your own families, and with the teenagers in your life. Experts from the Sheriff's Dept, St. Louis PD, MI State Police, and the Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition have put together an excellent presentation to share with you, so check dates and times above, and join us.
The other big event we are excited to bring to you in October is the Mother Daughter Conference for women and their daughters ages 8-14. Registrations have already started to roll in for this fun and informative day of empowerment. Breakout sessions include a variety of topics including internet safety, bullying, nutrition, surviving the teens years, and much more! Go to our website for your registration form www.linkforfamilies.org.
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
Executive Director |
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