Money raised from the Missouri Children’s Trust Fund’s specialty license plate goes to many organizations that work to prevent child abuse and neglect and aid families in adjusting to parenthood and the challenges that can come with it. One such organization is the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Family Resource Center.  The center is host to a massive collection of books, pamphlets, videos, and other resources that help educate families and community members about a child’s physical and emotional health. CTF provides funding for the center’s Resource Librarian who assists parents and caregivers in understanding their child’s diagnosis in order to provide proper care. (AUDIO: Joanne Buttice talks about the importance of funding from CTF.) Studies indicate that informed parents who know what to expect in their child’s development are better prepared to handle associated stress and less likely to become frustrated, thereby reducing the risk of abuse and neglect. We spoke with some of the professionals who provide education through the Family Resource Center.

Joanne Buttice, Director of Guest Services at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, says the Family Resource Center is staffed with pediatric nurses and medical librarians who are trained in medical research and know how to access resources through accredited medical research databases. She says this information is sometimes requested far and wide.

AUDIO: Joanne Buttice talks about just how far the Family Resource Center’s outreach goes.

The Family Resource Center is publicized through the hospital’s orientation station, internal video monitors, orientation packets, through staff, and through a volunteer ambassador program. The volunteers make sure families know about the resources within the first 24 to 48 hours after admission. Many times parents are getting the information for the first time.

AUDIO: Joanne Buttice talks about helping prepare parents for new situations.

Resources provided through the Family Resource Center are intended for use in continual care of families, even after discharge.

AUDIO: Joanne Buttice talks about extending care past the hospital stay.

Margie Batek, Lead Social Worker, works in the emergency department.  She says often, during an ER visit, it’s a good time to approach parents with information offered in the resource center.

AUDIO: Margie Batek talks about using Family Resource Center information in the ER.

Batek says that sometimes just speaking to a parent or caregiver isn’t enough.

AUDIO: Margie Batek talks about the credibility of print materials.

This month we’re highlighting a group of Children’s Trust Fund prevention partners from Joplin, Missouri. These three agencies have spent the past six months, since a devastating tornado destroyed a third of their city, working together to provide assistance to families in need. Each agency features a variety of services, but together their work is even more powerful in addressing the spectrum of needs in the community.

We begin with Children’s Haven of Southwest Missouri.  Children’s Haven provides a temporary home to children ages birth through 17 years whose families are experiencing a crisis. Services are provided 24 hours a day/seven days a week and are available, free of charge, to any family in Southwest Missouri.  Going beyond short term care, Children’s Haven works to provide parents with information and resources they need to help them resolve their crisis for the long term.  We spoke with Stephanie Theis, Executive Director of Children’s Haven, about their efforts to provide temporary crisis care to children and youth in a secure setting.

AUDIO: Stephanie Theis talks about some of the situations that may lead to Children’s Haven.

The tornado that struck Joplin on May 22, 2011 had a major impact on Children’s Haven. Theis told us about some of the challenges that have arisen.

AUDIO: Stephanie Theis talks about the aftermath of the tornado.

Theis says the Children’s Trust Fund is an excellent partner because of the mutual understanding about crisis situations and the needs that must be met.

AUDIO: Stephanie Theis talks about Children’s Haven’s partnership with CTF.

The next agency we are highlighting is The Alliance of Southwest Missouri. This agency utilizes the federally funded Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) grant to assist families in Jasper and Newton Counties.  Under a program called Project Care, each family enrolled is thoroughly evaluated to determine their needs.  Then resources are provided to help them meet those needs. Alliance workers help families make contact with and implement services that can help them lead a healthier and more fulfilled life.

We spoke with The Alliance’s CBCAP Coordinator Nancy Corley.  She says sometimes individuals may become overwhelmed with the responsibilities of caring for a family. That’s when the Alliance steps in.

AUDIO: Nancy Corley talks about providing support in an overwhelming situation.

Some of the service resources that may be provided to families include medical home services, mentoring, Parent Aide services, home visits, and cribs, mattresses and bedding through the Safe Crib program.  Corley says these needs became that much greater when the tornado hit.  She says that’s when area agencies worked as one.

AUDIO: Nancy Corley talks about the team effort that was made after the May 22, 2011 tornado.

Corley talks about the invaluable support CTF responded with after the tornado.

AUDIO: Nancy Corley talks about CTF’s partnership.

The Children’s Miracle Network, out of Freeman Health Systems Hospital in Joplin, is the third partner we’re featuring.  Through funding from CTF’s prevent child abuse license plate, the Children’s Miracle Network is able to provide a certified safe crib to families with financial need, in an effort to reduce the number of unsafe sleeping arrangements and crib related injuries.  Karla Hurrel is a case processor with Children’s Miracle Network.  She says the program is in place for those in need, despite their economic status.

AUDIO: Karla Hurrel on providing for needs

In addition to providing cribs, the agency responds to home safety inspections that are conducted at the time of crib delivery, then working to address other potential safety issues within a household. Children’s Miracle Network works in conjunction with Parents As Teachers to implement the project in Jasper, Newton, Barry, Lawrence, and McDonald Counties.

AUDIO: Karla Hurrel talks about the importance of overall safety.

Hurrel says the safe cribs program exists because of  funding from the Children’s Trust Fund. And that working together played a role in the agency’s response to the tornado.

AUDIO: Karla Hurrel talks about CTF’s partnership.

Through CTF’s prevent child abuse license plate, more families can become aware of the services offered through the Children’s Miracle Network and other agencies. Those who have already been helped are some of the biggest advocates for the program.

AUDIO: Karla Hurrel shares a personal success story.

The Rose Brooks Center (RBC) is a domestic violence shelter in Kansas City.  A child abuse and neglect prevention grant from the Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) helps to support RBC’s Family Enrichment Program.  This program helps mothers gain the knowledge and skills they need to raise healthy children and prevent child abuse in high risk situations.  CTF funds are used to support parenting classes in which the Active Parenting curriculum is used.  RBC has  implemented classes for both English and Spanish speaking moms. Family Services Coordinator Kim Fletcher says the program offers a lot to help stabilize families, including crisis intervention, life skills development, and other supportive and therapeutic services.

AUDIO: Kim Fletcher talks about the Family Enrichment Program.

Fletcher says the innovative services Rose Brooks Center offers can help a family suffering from trauma end the cycle of violence and abuse, and make a new start. 

AUDIO: Kim Fletcher tells the story of a family helped by RBC.

Rose Brooks Center uses a proven curriculum to provide parenting skills to those who may be struggling. Fletcher says they’re able to do this through their partnership with CTF.

AUDIO: Kim Fletcher talks about the importance of CTF’s grant funding.

The Rose Brooks Center offers a 24 hour a day crisis hotline number for anyone who needs assistance. The number is 1-800-HOTLINE. Fletcher says anyone is welcome to call whether they’re in crisis or just need to talk or need a referral for a program that they can turn to in their own area, if they’re outside of Kansas City. The hotline operates in more than 100 languages.