Building Blocks: Developing a State Chapter from the Ground Up

What the heck did we get ourselves into????????? Or What the heck did we get ourselves into?????????

Presenters: Jay Wood Executive Director, Missouri KidsFirst Rebecca Gordon Development Director, Missouri KidsFirst

Before the beginning CAC Directors meet regularly There was a source of State Funding They had worked through initial funding allocation formula They were good at working together They shared data

The beginning September of 2004 God (my Board) created man (me) and he was good. January 6, 2005 Different God (Governor) wiped out State Funding for CAC’s in Missouri. January 7, 2005 Man (me) looks for place to hide.

Missouri’s Crisis circa 2005 New Governor’s Budget zeros CAC Funding Survey of CAC’s determines half the Centers in Missouri would have to close Remaining Centers would dramatically reduce services More than 50% of all funding was from State Majority of CAC Boards were MDT Boards

'Sometimes a Crisis Forces Change' Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister 2009

From Crisis Planning to Strategic Planning Board & Brand Progress

Building a Future Growth and Transition

A Dual Universe

Building our Organization Board Brand Progress

Board Had to Support both CAC’S and Chapter Brand

Our Brand As a statewide organization we must address the issue of child abuse in broader terms. We are the voice of member CACs and the children and families they serve. Perhaps just as importantly, we are a voice for an informed public that demands action to end child abuse now. As we address target audience members about issues ranging from prevention education to funding, the message should be powerful and distinct. The desired result should be absolutely clear:

Our New Mission …...

Our mission is to provide the resources, training, support and public awareness necessary to end child abuse in Missouri.

Creating a New Brand

Our Board Structure and Priorities

Missouri KidsFirst Board Key Functions Resource Development Strategic Leadership 3. Governance/Oversight

Financial

Leadership

Governance

Progress To integrate a comprehensive model of prevention, intervention and leadership designed to greatly reduce child abuse and child sexual abuse in Missouri

Missouri KidsFirst……………….. Progress Missouri KidsFirst Board Prevent Child Abuse Missouri Network of Advocacy Centers

Missouri KidsFirst Advocacy Training Support Development Collaboration

Missouri KidsFirst Organizational Chart Board Of Directors Executive Director Jay Wood Development Director Rebecca Gordon Admin Asst Donna Neely Prevention Director Joy Oesterly Prevention Coordinator Cherisse Thibaut Missouri Network Of Child Advocacy Prevent Child Abuse Missouri Practical Parenting Partnership SAFE-CARE Project

The CAC Wedding Planner Awareness/Education/ Marketing Funding/Resources Model Enhancement Public Policy, Advocacy Evaluation and Assessment Professional Development

Network Planning Professional Development Model Enhancement Core Competencies Administrators Forensic Interviewers Child Advocates Extended Evaluations MDT’s Medical Providers Mental Health Growth Planning Best Practices Mentoring for Accreditation System Improvements Funding Allocations

Legislative Advocacy Appropriations for Child Advocacy Centers Advocating for Children Supporting Partners

Legislative Wins Increased appropriation for CAC’s Children in Crisis Tax Credits Funding for Medical Resource Centers in Missouri Reimbursement for sexual assault medical examinations Child Witness Protection Act SAFE CARE Legislation No cuts in funding to CAC’s during recession

Mission To protect Missouri’s children by improving the response to child abuse through the support and promotion of child advocacy centers within the state.

The Strategy Session We discussed what Child Advocacy Centers do. What impact should the model have in Missouri. What the Network does and what’s the Chapters role. Who our current audiences are. What audiences are critical to the success of the Missouri Network and Child Advocacy Centers. How well does the Missouri Network of Child Advocacy Centers accurately describe and represent you. How do we sustain the movement.

Guiding Principles: Every suspected case of child abuse will be reported and every report will be co investigated by trained professionals Every child reported into the system will be interviewed by someone who can competently interview a child about abuse and the investigation of all child abuse allegations will likewise be competently done Every substantiated case of egregious abuse will be prosecuted by a prosecutor skilled at handling these complex cases Every Children’s Division worker will be competent to work with child abuse victims and their families from day one Every child protection worker, police officer and prosecutor will be a community leader in preventing child abuse Every child protection worker and attorney will have access to ongoing training, technical assistance and publications to constantly refresh and improve their skills