Everyone Has A Role in Keeping Children Safe ! Community Partnerships for Protecting Children

What is “Community Partnerships for Protecting Children”? A new approach to child protection which recognizes that keeping children safe is everyone’s business. A partnership of public and private agencies, citizens, and professionals who work together to keep children safe. An opportunity for community members to get involved in helping families in need and in shaping the types of services and support needed by these families.

Community –wide Benefits Children will be safer. Families will be stronger. Neighborhoods will be more cohesive. Community members will have resources to be a part of the solution.

Specific Benefits for Different Parts of the Community Parents have many more options of where to turn in time of need. Teachers/Child Care Providers can feel more connected to the children; Stronger families mean kids are better able to learn.

Specific Benefits for Different Parts of the Community Clergy and Religious Institutions have resources to help: stronger families mean stronger congregations. Law Enforcement has more options for dealing with difficult domestic situations; earlier help can mean less severe abuse and violence later.

Specific Benefits for Different Parts of the Community Businesses can help their employees and be more effective corporate citizens. Iowa Department of Human Services has extra support for its efforts to keep children safe.

The Underlying Eight Principles of Community Partnerships for Protecting Children

Principal #1 Services for children at-risk should be individualized to address each child’s specific needs.

Principle # 2 Services need to be made available to families earlier- before a crisis occurs.

Principle # 3 The Department of Human Services agency alone cannot keep children safe from abuse and neglect.

Principal # 4 The mandated public agency that is at the center of this work has to change the way it operates.

Principal # 5 Citizens and community members have to be involved in providing support to families in need and in actually shaping the services and support that are made.

Principle # 6 Services and support must be closely linked to the communities in which families live.

Principal # 7 Efforts to reduce abuse and neglect must be part of the broader initiatives and priorities of each community.

Principle # 8 Localities have to shape their own strategies and range of services based on their own resources, needs and cultures. In other words, different communities will come up with different ways of translating these principles.

These principles are being put into action across Iowa through the Community Partnerships for Protecting Children initiative.

A Community Partnership is a vehicle for a group of committed people who want to protect children from child abuse and neglect to find new ways to work together to keep children safe.

Examples of Services That Can Be part of a Community Partnership Family Resource Centers Parenting Classes Child care, including after-school programs Life skills training 9 budgeting, conflict resolution) Community –building events Family Team Meetings

A Partnership of community members Working Together Can Include… Families Child Protective Services Workers Businesses Spiritual Leaders Law Enforcement

A Partnership of Community Members Working Together Can Include… Schools Elected Officials Local Service Providers You !