Spring 2008

SPRING 2008
NEWS
Our mission is to break the generational cycle
of child abuse by equipping parents and care
givers for success.
Our mission resonates through our four educational and counseling programs for families
at risk for abuse, which include:
Parent Aide Program
Families First
Shaken Baby Syndrome Education
Healthy Families
During 2007, the CAP Center served 2,660 parents, children, teenagers, and childcare providers through these
four core programs. Since the CAP Center was founded in 1993, our four core programs have served over 29,600
clients.
Spring Cleaning
Everyone does it, or at least tries to. You gather
a piece of paper and a pen and walk around the
house noting which windows should be cleaned,
what carpet stains should be scrubbed, and what
leftover “how-did-I-miss-that” holiday decorations
should be put away. Spring Cleaning sends chills
down the spines of all children. Parents hand out
orders, time is spent inside instead of out playing
with the neighbors, and the house gets cleaned!
Instead of making the Spring Cleaning a negative,
try this year to make it positive. Instead of cleaning
your house, clean up your relationship with your
child! Let your curiosity bloom. Find out what makes
your child excited and enjoy the same activity.
Weed out the judgment, put on the rose colored
glasses. Instead of watching the negative, focus
on the positive. Clean up your schedule. Find
activities that your children really enjoy doing and
make time for those. Also, give your children free
time. Kids don’t have to be on a schedule all the
time.
Voices for Children 2007
Voices for Children 2007 was a remarkable
success! Mothers in the group spoke about
their experiences with the Parent Aide Program
and how they have benefitted from CAP
Center Services. Here are some excerpts from
their speeches: “This program has given me a
bit of joy that I would not have been able to
achieve on my own. More importantly, this
program has made me feel as though some one
cares about me and my family and truly wants
to see us succeed in life and for that I am truly
happy.” “I am grateful for the program, it has
been more helpful than I thought it was going to
be. The services were offered for a year of
counseling and I’ve used up 9 months. I’ve
recently had to deal with situations in my life and
noticed that I handled them a lot better than I
would have a year ago.”
Fix up the things in your relationship with your child that you find are in need of repair. If you tend to yell
at your kids, step back and try again, this time with a softer approach. If you tend to feed your children
only negative feelings, try focusing on the positive.
Dallas County led the state with 33 child abuse homicides in 2007!
Take Action.......Don’t Wait
www.excap.org
Report suspected child abuse to 800-252-5400
Questions About Kids
Am I Spoiling My Baby?
Many parents worry that they may be spoiling their
baby if they respond quickly every time their
baby cries. On the one hand, they feel a strong
urge to make things better immediately when
their baby signals that he or she is upset. But
at the same time, they worry that by responding
to every cry they might be making their baby
overly dependent and clingy, or be teaching
their baby to expect to always get what he or she
wants. Sometimes friends or even the baby’s
grandparents say things like, “Why do you jump
every time she cries? It’s good for babies to cry!”
Well, take heart! Responding is not “spoiling”.
Your instincts to respond right away to your baby’s
cries are right on track. Recent research has
shown that responding to your baby’s cries will not
spoil your baby. In fact, babies who have been
responded to quickly and consistently, especially
during the first six to eight months of life, actually
cry less than babies who have been left to cry.
And, as toddlers, the babies whose cries were
responded to promptly and consistently are more
independent than the children whose cries were
not responded to in a timely manner
It seems that one of the most important things for
a baby to learn is that others will respond to him
in a caring and predictable way. This also tells a
baby, “You can let me know what you need, and
I’ll take care of you.” These experiences allow the
baby to develop a strong trust in others and in
self, a basic sense of security that the world is a
good, safe place to be and that he or she can play
an active role in this world.
The “Question About Kids” series is published by the Center for
Early Education and Development to provide state-of-the-art
information about young children and families..
2008
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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Susan Aldridge, President
Randy Michero, Vice President
Cynthia Pladziewicz, J.D., Ph.D, Secretary
Scott A. Davis, Past President
Teresa Garland, Past President
G. Ward Beaudry, J.D.
Penelope Blackwell, J.D.
Erika Blomquist, J.D.
Gerald Deats
Lisa Domiteaux, Ph.D.
Brad Fetters
Lisa Garner, M.D.
Alan Scott King
Patricia B. Lehtola, J.D.
Elisa Maloff Reiter, J.D.
E.J. Rodgers
Lisa Spooner-Whyte
Anne Talley
Matt Talley
Randall Tuttle, C.P.A., Treasurer
Ike Vanen Eykel, J.D.
2008
Advisory Board
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Perrie M. Adams, Ph.D.
Drew Alexander, M.D.
Kay F. Barkin
Lee Ann Benge
Steve Bruneman, J.D.
Anita Chanpong
Susan Howard Chrane
Dodee Frost Crockett
W. John Davis, Jr.
Patrick Foster
Frances A. Harris, J.D.
Phil McCormick
Paul Neinast
Siobhan O’Brien
Misty Ventura
Alice N. Wright
Margie Wright
William R. Wright
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES! Juggling school and parenting has been a great challenge, but the
parents have persevered. They have conquered their goals and taken their education to a higher level. It is often
challenging to meet the parent’s needs for multiple services, including housing, education, and childcare, but these
parents have succeeded. The Healthy Families staff and participating teen parents celebrated with words of wisdom,
certificates of recognition, and special gifts. We applaud each parent for the life change commitment of continuing
their education and graduation with their GED and High School Diplomas. We would also like to congratulate one of
our outstanding participants, who has not only obtained an Associates Degree, but is successfully attending UTA to
pursue a career in Social Work. Can you imagine...one of our very own success stories coming back to give first
hand experience as a caseworker at the CAP Center. Now, that would be PHENOMENAL!
CHILD ABUSE AND SOCIAL ISOLATION
Last March, we were shocked to learn that a mother had thrown her two boys from a bridge into rush hour
traffic on a major freeway. Miraculously, the boys lives were spared. But how could such a thing happen?
In 2007, 33 Dallas County children died as a result of abuse or neglect, more than any other county in Texas.
More than 5,400 Dallas children fell victim to non-fatal forms of maltreatment: physical, sexual, and emotional
abuse, as well as severe neglect, often the most damaging form of maltreatment. One of the biggest factors in
child abuse is lack of social support.
Throughout most of the history of the human race, most people lived in large social groups. The deficiencies of
one parent were usually made up by other members of the group: grandparents, aunts and other relatives. In
today’s world, however, families are often isolated from important sources of support.
The CAP Center provides vital support for over-stressed, isolated families through its Parent Aide and Healthy
Families programs. Social workers form nurturing relationships with parents, helping them find needed
community resources, as they learn to nurture their children. Parents who participate in our programs report
reductions in stress and a better understanding of their children, thus lessening the risk of abuse.
As our client Audrey so aptly described in her speech at the November 2007 Voices for Children Breakfast:
“When I started this program a year ago I did not know what to expect. I knew it was a program to help me with
my children, but I did not know that the program would benefit me in as many levels of my life as it did. I came
into the program through a series of unpleasant events that landed my name in the Child Abuse Prevention
Center’s hands. I was afraid, and felt that I needed all the help and support I could get to help me raise my
children and move forward after going through multiple traumatic events in my marriage. Little did I know that
this program would offer so much more than guiding a mother to be a better parent. This program has given
me resources to help get my life back on track. When my son needed counseling, this program led me to the
door steps. I was able to enroll my child in a program that offered some of the best play therapy, with caring
people around me and my family. When I needed shelter, this program provided me with a number to call, and
now my family and I are living safely and independently. Whenever I needed to talk, cry, laugh or vent, or just
some extra encouragement when I was having a bad day, my counselor was always available for me. Whatever
I needed, she was right there beside me letting me know that it will be okay and everything will work out. This
program has given me resources for jobs, and information on special events in my community. My children even got
to see a hockey game for the first time and that is priceless. This program has given me a bit of joy that I would
not have been able to achieve on my own. Most importantly, this program has made me feel as though someone
cares about me and my family and truly wants to see us succeed in life and for that I am truly grateful.”
Some SIDS Facts You May Not Know.....
DID YOU KNOW...
That 20% of SIDS deaths occur while the infant is in the care of a child care provider?
That despite the 50% decline in SIDS since 1992, the proportion of SIDS deaths that occurred in child care
settings has remained constant?
That research shows NO increase in choking or aspiration in babies who sleep on their backs? In fact, babies may
actually clear secretions better when placed on their backs. When a baby is in the supine (back-sleeping) position,
the trachea lies on top of the esophagus. Anything regurgitated or refluxed from the esophagus must work against
gravity to be aspirated into the trachea. Conversely, when a baby is in the prone (stomach-sleeping) position, anything regurgitated or refluxed will pool at the opening of the trachea, making it easier for the baby to aspirate.
That the likelihood of an infant being placed on his/her stomach to sleep nearly doubled if a grandmother lived
in the home?
The CAP Center added Shaken Baby Syndrome Education in 1999, to enhance awareness of this devastating form
of child abuse. Shaken Baby Syndrome education teaches students and caregivers strategies for dealing with crying
babies and preventing this form of abuse. Since 1999, over 11,963 teens, childcare providers and other citizens have
been educated on Shaken Baby Syndrome. The CAP Center is the key provider of Shaken Baby Syndrome education,
as well as SIDS, for the Dallas Metroplex. Through an exclusive DISD contract, the CAP Center teaches students and
staff on 15 high school campuses the dangers of shaking a baby. CAP is the premier supplier of SBS, Postpartum
Depression, and immunization information for Texas Healthcare Providers through the Resources for Parents of Newborns brochure, ensuring that providers are in compliance with the Texas Health and Safety Code regarding Shaken
Baby Syndrome and Postpartum Depression.
Special Thanks to Our Donors
The CAP Center would like to extend a special thank you to Dallas Social Venture Partners for their
generous donation of ETO software by Social Solutions. The software is web-based and will house
information on all four CAP programs. This new software will provide continuity of the programs and allow
program outcomes for the center to be easily accessed. The CAP Center staff has built all of the components
themselves, including each program’s home page, demographics, assessments, and outcomes. We
are hoping to launch this new software program in Summer 2008.
As a part of a persuasive writing unit, students from Marshall
Middle School in Marshall, Michigan were asked to write out
and deliver speeches persuading their classmates to donate to
a specific charity. We would like to thank student Hayley Halcomb,
one of the finalists, for choosing to donate to the CAP Center.
The Ohio School for the Deaf’s High School Career Education
students in Columbus, Ohio received donations for wrapping
Holiday gifts during the month of December. They donated the
proceeds to the CAP Center.
Special Thanks to Mary Crocker, LPGA Members, and Castle Hills
Golf Course of Lewisville, TX for sponsoring a Girls Golf Clinic for
CAP Center’s Healthy Families Program clients.
The CAP Center would like to offer a special thank you to the
Nautilus Group for their fabulous fundraising efforts to provide safety
items for our clients. We would also like to thank John Irvin for
encouraging his colleagues to donate to the CAP Center in loving
memory of his mother, Mary Irvin. With these donations, the CAP
Center will be able to provide clients with play yards, toddler beds,
car seats, baby gates, outlet covers and other safety items.
THANK YOU
Rees-Jones Foundation
DB&K Management
Donate your car to Charity Motors
www.charitymotors.org
214-630-0044 or 972-CHARITY
ALL
proceeds can be designated to the
CAP Center.
SBS Program - Anonymous Donor
$50,000
Wendy Krispin Caterers
Voices Table Captains Luncheon
Ashleigh Banfield
donations in honor of 40th Birthday
CONTRIBUTORS
A Big THANK YOU to all our donors who gave
$500 or more to the CAP Center in 2007-2008
Actuate Corporation
Mr. And Mrs. Steve Aaron
Alan Barnes Fine Arts, Inc.
Andrews Kurth LLP
Susan Aldridge
Americo Real Estate
Andrews Kurth, LLP
Leigh Bailey
Ray and Heather Balestri
Bank of Oklahoma
David Barbour
The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Foundation
Beaudry Properties
Amy Benavides
Andrew Bramley
Lisa Brecht
Briggs Freeman
Ike and Candy Brown
Edmond & Virginia Burns
Marla Bush
Mary Bowman Campbell
Ben Campomanes
Cartier
Dave and Stacy Cary
Citigroup Foundation
Martha Clay
Loren Combs
Communities Foundation of Texas
Dodee Frost Crockett
Cw33 Kids Fund
The Dallas Foundation
Dallas Social Ventures
DataTrend Technologies
Davis Rawlins, PC
Scott & Linda Davis
Gerald Deats
Rosemary Domecki
Mark & Lisa Domiteaux
Eagle Energy Partners, L.P.
Gayne & Joleta Ek
Exchange Club of Berkner
Exchange Club of Coppell
Exchange Club of Lake Highlands
Exchange Club of Mesquite
Exchange Club of Noon Garland
Exchange Club of Uptown Dallas
Douglas Fejer
Brad Fetters
Joni Floyd
Elizabeth Fraley
Elizabeth Gambrell
Don & Teresa Garland
Grace Glover and Linton Ward
Beverly Goule
Linda Gower & Associates
Greenberg Traurig
Michael & Vicky Gunning
Harold Simmons Foundation
Rhonda Harris
Hawn Foundation
David Herrick
Hitachi
The Hoglund Foundation
Home Box Office, Inc. (HBO)
Farieda Irani
Jani-King, Intl, Inc.
King Foundation
Wendy Krispin Caterers
Louis Jenkins.
Douglas & Natalie John
Olivia Kearney
King of Glory Lutheran Church
Alan & Sara King
Donna Lane
Patricia Lehtola
Monty and Teel Lunsford
D. Lynn McBee
Charles & Mary Blake Meadows
Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins & Blau, L.L.P
Merrill Lynch.
Clifford & Barbara Miercort
Genevieve Mitchell
Siobhan O’Brien
Office Depot Foundation
Scott & Erin Olson
Palo Duro Freight Services
John and Kathy Palter
Katherine Perot
Stephen & Linda Perkins
Cynthia Pladziewicz
Steve & Elisa Reiter
Republic Title of Texas
RGK Foundation
Walter & Kathleen Ridlon
Gerard Rocchi
Mike & E.J. Rodgers
Nancy and Richard Rogers
Ronald McDonald House Charities
The Rosewood Foundation
Cary Rossel
The Rouse Family Foundation
SAP, Inc.
The Schultz Family Foundation
Safeway, Inc.
Silicon Valley Community Foundation
Pat and Ellen Snuffer
The Staubach Company
Sturgis Charitable Trust
Beth Sutera
Mary Ann Talley
Matt Talley
Johnette Taylor
Thompson & Knight Foundation
David W. Tice
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
Verizon Wireless
Crayton Webb
Wellspring Partners
Phil and Kristina Whitcomb
Catherine Wilkers
Charles A. Williams
Derik and Kendall Williams
Winstead Sechrest & Minick, P.C.
Women of Saint Michael
Ellen Wood
Kathy Zerangue
Zelle, Hofman, Mason & Gette
If we have inadvertently omitted your name, please accept our apologies and notify us at 214-370-9810
2007 ADOPT A FAMILY
The CAP Center would like to say a very big THANK YOU to the
38 individuals and organizations for adopting a family for Christmas. We also
want to say a big THANK YOU to the individuals who donated
money, baby items and developm ental toys. We received $2,255
in donated checks and gift cards. Five groups of people graced
the center with new baby items and new developmental toys for
children under 3. With the help of our devoted adopters and donors,
we were able to provide Christmas to 58 families or 164 individuals.
The outstanding response to the 2007 Adopt-A-Family program has
given us a wonderful beginning to our 2008 Emergency Client Fund
and client supplies. With the remaining financial donations, we will
be able to help a few of our families through times of crisis during
part of the 2008 year. Also, the CAP Center was honored to be
selected as the recipients of a Diaper Drive hosted by Hillcrest High
School’s National Honor Society.
CAP Center Clients Served
Through December 31, 2007
Shaken Baby Syndrome
1999 - 2008
People Trained - 12,022
Parent Aide
1993 - 2008
Parents - 2,320
Children - 4,240
Families First
1995 - 2008
Parents - 7,728
Children - 3,043
Healthy Families
2001 - 2008
Parents & Babies - 381
SAVE THE DATE!
CAP Center Golf Classic
October 13, 2008
Riverchase Golf Course
This newsletter is about solutions to the problems of child abuse. CAP Center salutes our dedicated Exchange Club
members, all our volunteers, donors and program partners who are committed to keeping children safe.
Each of you has changed lives!
Exchange Club Center for
the Prevention of Child Abuse
of DFW, Inc., d.b.a.
2902 Swiss Avenue
Dallas, TX 75204
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
DALLAS, TX
PERMIT NO. 0797