Parent Aide Program
In 1993, the CAP Center signed a contract with Child Protective Services (CPS) to offer a free, intensive in-home program to at risk families referred by CPS. Since its inception, the CAP Center has assisted more than 1,724 at-risk families and more than 4,200 children through this program.
The goal of the Parent Aide program is to stop the cycle of child abuse by educating parents on how to replace patterns of abusive behavior with new skills for non-violent, nurturing parenting. The Parent Aide program provides assistance and intensive in home services to families at risk of abuse and neglect who live in Dallas County who wish to receive our services. Most of the families in the program have been referred by Child Protective Services following an investigation of allegations of abuse or neglect. Referrals are also accepted from hospitals, schools, and other social agencies.
Through the Parent Aide program, CAP Center offers services to high-risk families, including those who are socially isolated, poorly functioning, mentally disabled, teenage parents, and victims of violence. A licensed professional Case Manager is assigned to each family. Once a week for a year, the Parent Aide Case Manager goes into the home and teaches parenting skills, problem solving techniques, communication methods, and ways of accessing help. The commitment of the Case Manager to the family ensures that trust is built, which brings continuity to the family.
By working closely with the family, the staff can make an immediate assessment of needs, getting help quickly and in the ways it is needed most. By teaching parents and caregivers appropriate parenting methods, CAP Center increases the high-risk parent's ability to care for and become a positive role model for his or her children, thus decreasing the risk for further abuse.
THE NEED: A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS
The incidence of reported child abuse and neglect is increasing at an alarming rate in Dallas County. In its 2007 Dallas County Community Needs Assessment, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas identified child abuse and neglect as high priority problems in the Dallas Community. Reports show that in 2007, Dallas County Child Protective Services had approximately 21,000 referrals of suspected child abuse and neglect. Correspondingly, CAP Center served the highest number of clients in our agency’s history. Our current numbers show no signs of decreasing.
THE NEED:
Research shows that preventing child abuse with high-risk families is possible, but that it requires intensive and comprehensive intervention. The National Clearinghouse for Abuse and Neglect cites methods such as the in-home Parent Aide program as effective methods in reducing child abuse.
Many of our clients struggle with meeting the most basic needs of their families, such as putting food on the table. Many know nothing but abuse. The Parent Aide program seeks to end the cycle of abuse for these vulnerable families by reducing isolation, increasing support networks, teaching positive parenting skills and providing access to community resources that can help with basic needs.
Horrifying child abuse statistics in Dallas County, alone, include:
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There were 20,945 alleged cases of abuse in Dallas County in 2007. More than 5,400 children were abused in Dallas County in 2007. Thirty-three of those children died as a result of abuse or neglect - more than any other county in the state: Source:
http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Documents/about/Data_Books
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In 2006, 13 children died from child abuse in Dallas County. Source: Dallas Medical Examiners Office
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In 2006, in the state of Texas, 227 children died at the hands of an abuser. Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - Child Protective Services
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In the past five years, 85 children in Dallas County have died at the hands of an abuser. Source: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - Child Protective Services
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In 2002, Dallas County led the nation in child abuse homicides.
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As taxpayers, we spend an estimated $31,000 on each abused and neglected child in Texas. (Source: The Dallas Morning News 12/15/02) in addition, $1.5 to $5 billion is spent each year on child welfare court costs, foster and adoptive care and costs for those who survive abuse. (Source: Dallas Child,
http://www.dallaschild.com)
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Abused or neglected children are 53% more likely to be arrested as juveniles and 38% more likely to be arrested for violent crime. (Source: Prevent Child Abuse Texas)
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Texas ranks 45th in % of child abuse fatalities across the country. This is 742% more then Delaware, Idaho, North Dakota and Vermont, which have no fatalities. Source: Geography Matters, Child Welfare in the States, April 2008,
www.everychildmatters.org
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Texas ranks 50th in uninsured children, with 21.2% of children uninsured. This is 403% more then Rhode Island. . Source: Geography Matters, Child Welfare in the States, April 2008,
www.everychildmatters.org
WHO IS SERVED BY THE PARENT AIDE PROGRAM
CAP Center is the only nonprofit agency that offers the Parent Aide program to at-risk parents referred by Child Protective Services, the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Parkland Memorial Hospital, Baylor Hospital, Methodist Hospital, Las Colinas Medical Center, Dallas Independent School District, Dallas Healthy Start, Maya Angelou High School, Family Place, the Dallas Juvenile Department, and other community agencies, free of charge. Our programs serve those at all economic levels, however, the majority of our clients are underprivileged and reside in the highest poverty zip codes in Dallas County.
The Parent Aide program served 167 families, including 290 parents and 541 children, in 2007. CAP is a safeguard for many families as CPS struggles with diminishing resources. The risk factors for abuse have increased in severity in cases referred to CAP. Since its inception, the Parent Aide program has helped more than 2,320 parents move to a more positive and loving lifestyle with their children.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES include:
1. Decreased risk factors for child abuse and neglect.
2. Improved parenting practices.
3. Improved health and development of baby/child.
4. Improved family functioning.
5. Improved family’s access to social services.
6. Foster safe, healthy families whose children become productive members of society.
CLOSING SUMMARY
The Parent Aide program is an innovative and unique child abuse prevention program that fills the gap in services for at risk families referred by CPS. The program empowers at risk parents to make positive choices for themselves and their children. The CAP Center Parent Aide program is the only free Dallas County program targeting this at-risk population. We welcome your support.