Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council (SCAP) is a local council of the Michigan’s Children’s Trust Fund. We are a community-based organization that serves as an outreach component for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The local council identifies needs and facilitates collaborative prevention programs.
The council includes representatives of public agencies, schools, law enforcement, the Probate Court, Prosecutor’s Office, parents, related private agencies, and other members representing the demographic composition of Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw Counties.
Local Council Functions Include:
1. Provide information, technical assistance, and support to the local community regarding child abuse and neglect prevention.
2. Aiding in the development and facilitation of a collaborative community child abuse prevention program.
3.Conducting needs assessments and developing a local prevention plan.
4. Facilitating local fundraiser and public awareness activities for CTF;
5. Acting as a liaison to the community and other local inter agency networks;
6. Providing information regarding local needs, target populations, and grant priorities. Some local councils also provide direct service programs to the community, but with the use of funding other than provided by CTF.
7. Meeting the requirements of a designated council and willingness to serve as the local presence of the Children’s Trust Fund in a state-wide network of child abuse and neglect services.
The Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council supports child abuse prevention programs including:1. Parent education.
2. Programs for children ages 0-5
3. School-based prevention Programs
4. Community Awareness
5. Training for Human Service Providers
6. Programs for adolescents and their parents.
7. Parent Awareness Month Activities
8. Awards Mini-grants for direct service programming.
9. Present a Partner’s in Prevention award annually to an individual, organization, agency or business who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to child abuse prevention.
National Trends:
- There are funding cuts in all segments of society.
- There are governmental mandates without any further funding.
- Health care is more expensive and less accessible.
- Families are more mobile and more diverse.
- Drugs are more accessible.
- Environmental pollution has increased.
- The incidence of obesity in children has increased to dangerous levels.
- There is increased stress/depression.
- The unemployment rate is the highest it has been for 30 years.
- There is a reduction in the time spent with family members
Local Trends:
- Copper Country Mental Health has reduced services.
- Western UP District Health Dept. has reduced services.
- There are declining school enrollments.
- There are categorical funding cuts for schools.
- There is an increase in juvenile crime.
- There is an increase in gambling.
- There is a decrease in law enforcement coverage, resources are diverted for anti-terrorism efforts.
- Improved services for children from birth to 5 years is threatened.
Become Involved:
If you are interested in joining Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council or if you have any questions, please contact the Council Coordinator Rhys Edwards superiorcapcouncil@gmail.com 482-4357
