Local Agencies Partner to Promote Child Abuse Prevention Month

MEDIA CONTACTS:           

Caroline Booth Lara, Director of Advancement at CPCH

clara@cpch.org or (940) 382-5112 ext. 270

Lauren Barker, Development Associate at CASA of Denton County

lbarker@casadenton.org or (940) 243-2272 ext. 109

Stacie Wainscott, Development Coordinator at Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County

stacie@cacdc.org or 972-317-2818 ext. 244

 Local Agencies Partner to Promote Child Abuse Prevention Month

            April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time devoted to raising awareness about child abuse and neglect and methods of prevention. The numbers are alarming - there are nearly 200,000 reported cases of abuse or neglect in Texas each year, including more than 4,700 alleged victims and 4 fatalities in Denton County in fiscal year 2009.

            During April, three local non-profit agencies, Cumberland Presbyterian Children's Home (CPCH), Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Denton County, and Children's Advocacy Center for Denton County (CACDC), are joining together to help transform communities into places that care about and actively support children and families.

            "Child abuse prevention is a community responsibility, and finding solutions depends on the involvement and cooperation of non-profit agencies, schools, religious organizations, the business community, government and law enforcement," said Caroline Lara, director of advancement at CPCH.

            In that spirit of cooperation, the Denton County Commissioners Court and the Denton City Council will be issuing proclamations during their April 6 meetings declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Denton County and the City of Denton, and urging all citizens to work together to help reduce child abuse and neglect significantly in years to come.

            CPCH, CASA and CACDC are offering the following events in April:

• April 1 - 14^th Annual CACDC Community Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Lt. Governor David Dewhurst; 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Lewisville
• April 9 - Forgotten Children: CASA Attorney Ad Litem Training at the Oakmont Country Club in Corinth
• April 10 - Art Gala 2010 hosted by Cloud 9 Salon and The Grotto Restaurant to benefit CASA and CACDC; at Cloud 9 Salon and Spa in Flower Mound
• April 10 - Becoming a Love and Logic Parent® class focusing on parenting children age 6 and older; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CPCH in Denton
• April 17 - CACDC Picnic on Parker Square, a free family picnic; bring blankets and enjoy fun activities like bounce houses, arts and crafts, and even a chance to sit in a police car and fire truck, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Parker Square in Flower Mound
• April 20 - CPCH's "Just for the FUN(ds) of It" family-friendly comedy fundraiser featuring comedian Tony Stone; 6:45 p.m. at the Campus Theatre in Downtown Denton
• April 24 - 3^rd Annual Nuconsteel Charity Golf Tournament benefiting CPCH; 8 a.m. at The Wildhorse Golf Club at Robson Ranch
• Throughout the month of April - CASA Speakers Bureau; CASA Board members, staff and advocates will be making presentations upon request at various organization and club meetings throughout Denton County in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. To request a speaker for the month of April, call the CASA Office at 940.243.2272