The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit agency with the mission "to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect by providing education, prevention, and intervention services throughout Dutchess County. The agency began in 1973. While we receive financial support from a variety of state and local agencies, we rely heavily on donations and contributions from our community to effectively serve our children and families.
Educational Services
Personal Safety Program
Provides sexual-abuse prevention workshops in area schools to more than 10,000 elementary school children and nearly 500 parents and teachers each year. Kids from preschool to 5th grade learn to keep safe from abuse through interactive, age-appropriate workshops, puppet shows, video presentations and parent-teacher involvement.
This program also works with middle and high school students to teach them how to avoid risky situations. To prevent victimization, the program covers such topics as healthy relationships, ecstasy use and rave parties, and inappropriate video games.
Internet Safety Program
As part of our Personal Safety Program, workshops are offered to children, teenagers, and adults regarding the dangers of Internet usage. Using a skit format, the program offers strategies for avoiding exposure to pornography, and for preventing the online exploitation of children by pedophiles.
Community Education & Mandated Reporters Training
Provides speakers to community and civic groups to raise awareness of child maltreatment and to empower people to effectively intervene on behalf of a child in need. The Child Abuse Prevention Center also provides New York State certification for the identification and reporting of child abuse for mandated reporters, such as teachers and medical personnel. We offer refresher courses as well.
Parenting Services
Parent Empowerment Program
The Parent Empowerment Program offers a forum in which parenting ideas are shared and suggestions are offered to more than 2000 parents each year. Workshops are tailored to meet the needs of parents from groups such as PTA's, community organizations and daycare centers, as well as those in substance abuse recovery, prison and day treatment setting, and those who have been referred because they are in danger of having their children removed from the home. Classes are offered at our site, or at a site convenient to the group.
P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Plus
Provides parenting classes for parents enrolled in Dutchess County Family Treatment Court programs. Program staff works closely with entire treatment team.
Special Needs Parenting Program
Provides parenting education and intense case management to parents with developmental disabilities, Each year, 30 classes and more than 1,300 home visits are conducted to develop such basic parenting skills as child safety, nutrition, health and development. Families with multiple service providers participate in coordination meetings, to help reduce the duplication of, and gaps in, services.
Child Advocacy Center
The Child Advocacy Center was the first in New York State. Beginning in 1994, this community collaboration began serving child sexual abuse victims and their families. We provide emotional support and an array of services through the collaborating agencies during the investigation phase of a child abuse allegation. Center staff works with CPS workers and police officers stationed at the agency. Following the interviewing process, the multi disciplinary team comprised of the CAC team members, attorneys, medical staff, therapists, police officers, probation officers, and the Department of Social Services Caseworkers meet to ensure that the needs of the child victim and their family are met, and that the perpetrator is kept from jeopardizing the safety of the child victim.
