The Bear Facts - Children`s Policy Council of Jefferson County

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Summer 2010
The Exchange Club Family
Skills Center
2300 10th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35205
205-801-5151
Ruby Felton: Newsletter Editor
Inside this issue:
From the Executive
Director.
2
Child Abuse Prevention
Month
2
Save The Dates
2
Programs & Services
3
“People Behind the
Scenes”
4
The Exchange Club Family Skills Center will
host a full night of culture, education and fun for
the entire community! It’s more than just a gala
it’s a musical, cultural and fundraising experience
for all. The Blue Ribbon Bash “ The Big Deal”
is designed to raise awareness and financial support for the prevention of child abuse throughout
the State of Alabama. This event will be hosted at
the prestigious Rosewood Hall at SOHO Square
on Friday, September 17, 2010 at 6pm. An evening of world class entertainment, unique attractions and fabulous food will combine to make this Bash the premier event for the Fall!
The Blue Ribbon Bash will feature three unique components to include: the Grand stage featuring
live entertainment; a live Auction offering some of the most sought after grand prizes and a dynamic Southern Blue Ribbon Cook-Off highlighting Birmingham’s top chefs. The event will also
showcase a Dance-A-Thon presented by the city’s most notable dance studios. It’s fun for the
entire community! Mark your calendars and save the date, you don’t want to miss this!
What’s the BIG Deal? By Andra Sparks, Chairman of the Board
What an exciting time at the Center! So what, you may ask, is the Big Deal? Well, we
are opening new doors and forging new partnerships. Our staff is doing a great job and
we have a re-energized Board of Directors. These positive changes allow us to create
new opportunities for our clients. I think what is happening is dynamic and feel
confident that if you, too, love keeping kids safe, then you know our growth is a
Big Deal!
Cribs for Kids Program
By Leslie Gettys, Department of Child Abuse Prevention, Alabama Children's Trust Fund
The Jefferson County Pilot Project, led by the Department of Child Abuse Prevention, is bringing Jefferson County community partners together to develop a plan that will streamline prevention efforts to impact the problem. The Project will bring approximately
twenty 501C-3 agencies, nine area hospitals and public health, mental health, law enforcement, neighborhood associations, local
businesses, the faith community, volunteers, colleges and universities, the Mayor’s office, District Attorney’s office, and civic organizations together to concentrate efforts to protect Jefferson County’s children.
A crucial part of the pilot project is the Cribs for Kids Program. The core purpose of Cribs for Kids Program is to reduce infant
deaths by providing an appropriate sleep environment through education and safe cribs. Any group participating in Cribs for Kids
must adhere to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Safe-Sleep Guidelines of October 2005.
The Exchange Club Family Skills Center (ECFSC) will manage the Cribs for Kids Program. Once the parent/caregiver needing a
crib is identified by the Alabama Department of Child Abuse Prevention, she/he will be given information regarding a pick-up time
and location. The parent/caregiver must adhere to the deadlines specified in the letter. The ECFSC will be responsible for: showing
the parent/caregiver the Safe Sleep for Your Baby – Right from the Start; ensure the parent/caregiver completes the SIDS and SafeSleep Beliefs Questionnaire, SIDS Risk Reduction Education Checklist and the Hold Harmless Release form when they arrive at the
ECFSC; demonstrate the correct way to set up the Pack n Play; participate in a site visit from Cribs for Kids/SIDS of Pennsylvania.
Page 2
The Bear Facts
A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Educate, Communicate, Prevent the cycle of abuse. The opportunity to increase awareness in April during National Child Abuse
Month was an exuberating experience. The Blue Ribbon Bash, held at the Boutwell, the CAP Funday in conjunction with Jackson’s Seed of Faith, held at Roosevelt Community Center, and traveling all across the State of Alabama providing FREE seminars on
our Preventable Tragedies Series ( Shaken Baby Syndrome, Pre-natal Alcohol & Drug Exposure Awareness) were all an overwhelming success, thanks to the hard work of our staff, board and volunteers.
I am also extremely pleased to announce the growth of our programs as new partnerships are being formed and developed with other
community agencies, which can benefit from the numerous programs we have to offer at the Center.
We are pleased to welcome our new board members who will assist us in improving awareness and identify
funding that will advance our goals to fight child abuse.
I am excited as we make plans for a wonderful night of entertainment called the Blue Ribbon Bash “The
Big Deal”. I am certain that with the help of the board, staff and volunteers this event will be a huge
success and increase the goal of continuing advocacy, training and education to prevent child abuse and
neglect. Join us in strengthening families .
Sonya Williams
Remembering April National Child Abuse Prevention Month
above: Training at FGC
Trentin Williams
CAP Funday: Tamiko & Tahiera M. Brown, guest speaker
Ruby, Program Graduate, & Vicky
Campfire USA
Ruby & Cheryl Jackson /Jackson Seed of Faith
above: The Blue Ribbon Bash:
our interns: Destiny, Martell & Carleta Guest Speaker: Cedric Sparks
Ronald McDonald & Friends
Sonya Williams & Steve Kitchens
Jake Kubler
our volunteer of the year
SAVE THE DATES!!!!!
August 14, 2010– 2nd Annual Shake A Leg Not A Baby Skating Fundraiser
September 17, 2010– Blue Ribbon Bash “The Big Deal”
September 25,2010– 2nd Annual “ Child Safety Resource Fair”
You don’t want to miss these events!!
More information to be announced soon on our website
www.ecfsc.com
Parenting Related Websites:
www.parenting.com
www.parenting.org
www.parentingweekly.com
www.parent.net
www.parenthood.com
www.Parenting-Advice.net
www.familyeducation.com
www.dontshake.org
The Bear Facts Page 3
Home Based Program News by Vicky Butts
The Parent Aide Program has been in existence at the Center since 1987. It is our goal to provide parenting education and support for
parents and children in the Greater Birmingham area.
These are excerpts from the families that we have served in our Parent Aide program:
“My Parent Aide has been working with my family on time-out, verbal & physical direction and managing both stress and anger”. It
has definitely been an asset having the services in my home. I will be eternally grateful to my Parent Aide and the Exchange Club
Family Skills Center. Brundidge family
“I am so blessed to have my Parent Aide in my family’s life”. She has taught me how to communicate and interact with my children
in an appropriate manner. The services that have been provided will assist me with “maintaining custody of my children”.
Clayton family
The Parent Aide Program has been a tremendous help to my family, which includes my daughter and grandchildren. This program
assisted us with developing rules and goals for our family. “We really don’t know what we would have done if we didn’t have our
Parent Aide”. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the services that were provided to my family. Daniel Family
Community Based Program News
Volunteer Spotlight
by Melanie Sokol
Volunteers are an indispensable asset to any non-profit organization and we deeply appreciate the time and
effort our volunteers so freely give. We would like to take this opportunity to introduce Mr. Floyd
Stephens. Mr. Stephens has been generously donating his time at the Center since April 2010. Born on
June 18, 1913, Mr. Stephens has survived 17 presidents, the “roaring twenties”, the Great Depression and
2 World Wars. He is retired, but served in the United States Air Force as Master Sergeant.
2010 Pennies for Kids Campaign
by Ruby Felton
Mr. Floyd Stephen & Melanie Sokol
The Exchange Club Family Skills Center would like to thank everyone that participated in our 2010 Pennies for Kids campaign: Big
Saver Thrift Stores, Sugar & Spice Daycare, First United Methodist Childcare Center, Alabama Power, Brenda Walker,
Carleta Daniels, Wee Care West, Bessemer BOE & Parent Involvement Program, Pre-School Partners, Sonya Phelps and
Girl Scout Troops #717 and 173. With your help and support we raised over 90,000 pennies this year!
Help Support CTF
Prevention of child abuse and neglect
is everyone’s responsibility. When you
buy a Children’s Trust Fund specialty
license plate, approximately 92% of the
purchase price goes directly to fund
community-based prevention programs in Alabama. These tags are
available at every County Probate
office and are tax-deductible. They can
be personalized with any combination
of five letters or numerals at no additional charge.
Next Sessions will be held:
August 23, 2010
August 24, 2010
Mondays
Tuesdays
Birmingham
Bessemer
6:00pm-7:30pm
For locations & registration contact:
The Exchange Club
Family Skills Center
2300 10th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35205
205.801.5151
*You must be a parent to participate*
**One time fee of $40**
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a parent education
and family support program serving families
throughout pregnancy until their child turns
three years of age.
Being a parent is hard work
In the first few years, children learn more and at
a faster pace than at any other time in their life.
You help shape your child’s future through the
experiences you provide. Your baby was born to
learn, and as a parent, you are your child’s first
and most important teacher.
As a PAT family, you receive:
Personal Visits-during which your parent educator will share age-appropriate child development and parenting information, help you learn
to observe your child and address your parenting concerns
Contact Vicky Butts at the Center for more
information.
Exchange Club Center for the
Prevention of Child Abuse of
Jefferson County, Inc.
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
Birmingham, AL
PERMIT NO. 469
2300 10th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35205
Phone 205-801-5151
Fax: 205-801-6040
www.ecfsc.com
The Exchange Club
Address Service Requested
Family Skills Center is
partially funded
by the
Big Saver
Thrift Stores in
Roebuck & Bessemer.
To donate household
items, clothing or toys
contact
836-2495
The Exchange Club Family Skills Center’s mission is to act as the principal child abuse and neglect agency
providing education and support to both adults and children in the Greater Birmingham area.
The Exchange Club Family Skills Center’s “People Behind the Scenes”
Staff
Board Of Directors
Sonya Williams, Executive Director
Andra Sparks, Board Chairman
Vicky Butts, Home Based Programs Specialist
Brenda Walker, Vice President
Ruby Felton, Community Programs Specialist
Harry Bradford, Treasurer
Stacy Hopkins, Office Manager
Brandon Pettagrue, Secretary
Tamiko Elston, Parent Educator
Tom Stroud
Melanie Taylor Sokol, Program Facilitator
Ken Lundberg
Cornell Myricks, Program Facilitator
Dr. Deborah Bidanset
Vicki Cargile, Program Facilitator
James Stewart
Ziva Hatcher, Program Facilitator
Chris Metcalf
Renona Boswell, Program Facilitator
Ann Marie Adams
Michael Jones, Program Facilitator
Jeffrey Caddell
Tamara Burr, Parent Aide
Welcome New Board Members
Tiffany Poe, Parent Aide
Willie Wells III
Langston Lee
Anthony Sparks
Claudia Williams
Jacob Odom
LaResha Cade
Maggie Priola
Meredith Beatty, Administrative Assistant