Crawford/Roscommon Child Protection Council

Every time you want to buy someone special flowers, please purchase them from FTD using code 14989 or order through the Prevent Child Abuse Michigan webpage at http://www.ftd.com/pcamichigan/

15% of each order will benefit The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund through our association with Prevent Child Abuse Michigan.

The code applies for orders both via the web or the phone. Call FTD today at 1-800-SEND-FTD.

Protecting Michigan’s children has never been more critical. Each day, there are more than 375 reports of child abuse and neglect in Michigan. Many more go unreported.

Even more alarming are the statistics telling us where this abuse and neglect takes place—in the home, which should be a nurturing and safe place for all children. Nearly 80 percent of these victimized children were abused or neglected by a parent in the child’s own home.

No child is immune. Statistics suggest that all children are potential victims of abuse and/or neglect, regardless of age, gender, race, or family income.

No community is immune. Statistics from the Kids Count in Michigan Data Book 2009 indicates that of Michigan’s 83 counties: Based on rates calculated per 1,000 children ages 0-17 in their county of residence, Crawford County ranks as the SIXTH WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE in the number of children living in homes investigated by Children's Protective Services for abuse/neglect; and ranks AS THE WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE for children placed in out-of-home care due to abuse/neglect. Roscommon County, using the same method of calculation, ranks 82nd, as THE SECOND WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE out of Michigan’s 83 counties for the number of children living in homes investigated by Children's Protective Services for abuse/neglect; and ranks AS THE WORST COUNTY IN THE STATE FOR CHILDREN AGES 0-18 LIVING IN POVERTY (per capita).

These cycles can be broken. Protection and intervention does make a difference. Studies show that coordinated family support services can prevent 85 percent of child abuse and neglect. And, most importantly, parents can learn to be better parents. Becoming a better parent is an ongoing process for all parents.

The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund provides funding and support to local groups, known as Child Protection Councils, to address the prevention of child abuse and neglect at a local level using resources directly available in each community.

The Michigan Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) was established to help break the vicious cycle of child abuse and neglect, to protect the lives of children so they become more successful adults and parents—without requiring state tax dollars to do its work.

Funding for CTF comes directly from you, the taxpayer. You can choose to mark the checkbox on your MI State Income Tax Return to support CTF and/or you can purchase specialized license plates for your automobile through the Secretary of State.

CTF provides funding to 72 local councils throughout the state covering a total of 82 of 83 counties in Michigan. In order to receive funding, local councils must provide support to and promotion of local programs that address the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

Mission Statement

Working to develop and support child abuse/neglect prevention education, activities & programs in Crawford & Roscommon Counties.

12 Alternatives to Striking out at Your Child:
The next time your everyday pressures build up to the point where you feel like lashing out -- STOP! Try any of these simple alternatives. You'll feel better . . . and so will your child.

1.    Take a deep breath . . . and another. Then remember, YOU are the adult.
2.    Close your eyes and imagine you're hearing what your child is about to hear.
3.    Press your lips together and count to 10 . . . better yet, to 20.
4.    Put your child in a time-out chair (remember the rule: 1 time-out minute for each year of age).
5.    Put yourself in a time-out chair. Think about WHY you are angry. Is it your child? Is your child simply a convenient target for your anger?
6.    Phone a friend.
7.    If someone can watch the children, go outside and take a walk.
8.    Hug a pillow.
9.    Turn on some music. Maybe even sing along.
10.   Pick up a pencil and start writing -- whatever comes into your mind. Save it like a journal.
11.   Take a hot bath or splash cold water on your face.
12.    Call for prevention information: 1-800-CHILDREN.

Copyright 2009, Crawford/Roscommon Child Protection Council
P.O. Box 834; Grayling, MI 49738
crcpc@hotmail.com
(989) 344-9335
Site designed/maintained by: Cindy DeLadurantaye