Prevent Child Abuse Indiana

June 2022 Newsletter

Framework for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect

As of February of 2022, Indiana has its first statewide Framework for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect. The Framework, and the accompanying Community Implementation Toolkit, represent a three-year collaborative process by a myriad of state and private organizations from across multiple sectors including prevention, advocacy, philanthropy, and other community partners.

The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) funded the development of the Framework and toolkit, which is now available by request, by accessing the DCS website here. Per that DCS website, “the framework provides a road map for the state and local communities to better support, empower, and protect families. It is centered on primary prevention efforts, or services and interventions available to the general population, to prevent child maltreatment before it happens.” 

Unfortunately, in both statewide and national data, as reported in the 2022 Indiana Youth Institute’s Kids Count Data Book, Indiana continues to rate poorly around the issue of child maltreatment. Specifically, “Federal data from 2019 showed that Indiana had a rate of 112.9 referrals per 1,000 children, the fifth highest among states for which data was reported (44, including DC), and one of only six states with a rate higher than 100 referrals per 1,000 children. Indiana’s 2019 screen-in rate (the percent of referrals that met the criteria for investigation) was 68%, compared to 59% nationally, and Indiana’s rate of investigation or assessment per 1,000 children in 2019 was 94.3, much higher than the national rate of 47.2 and exceeding the rates of all neighboring states.”

Please take a moment to request a copy of Indiana’s Framework for the Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect, using the link above, and join the battle to prevent child maltreatment in Indiana.

Here is a map of Indiana, the pinwheel in some counties indicate that we have a chartered prevention council in that county. If you are interested in reaching out to them to see how you may contribute to their efforts on a local level, please visit the PCAIN webpage and click on the pinwheel you will see that county’s contact information. If there is no pinwheel shown on map in your county, please feel free to contact Jeff Wittman in order to explore establishing a child abuse prevention council in your county.  

PCAIN’s April 2022 Celebration of

Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout Indiana

The month of April 2022 is fresh in our rear-view mirror and what an amazing month it was. In just my second April as Prevention Program Manager for Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, I am humbled by the passion and servant leadership exhibited by local child abuse prevention council members throughout Indiana working towards the goal of creating a healthier, safer, and more optimistic future for all Hoosier children. However, even the wonderful, energizing, and life-affirming work of child abuse prevention can be physically and emotionally exhausting.

A heartfelt thanks to each of our chartered councils across Indiana for your effort and collaboration with families and prevention stakeholders. The investments made in April will have a lasting impact for months and years ahead. Below, you will find a quick overview of the fantastic work done during the month of April 2022:

• There were over 31,000 Pinwheels distributed in Indiana for April.
• Thirty-seven events or activities related to promoting April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, occurred across Indiana. We are certain other April council events happened which were not shared with or known by PCAIN.
• DCS Child Abuse Prevention Month Kickoff event link is here.
• Click Here to review a short slideshow we’ve put together showing some of our PCA Council activities throughout Indiana.

  Jeff Wittman, MBA, PCAIN Prevention Program Manager 

PCAIN Program Spotlight: Nurturing Fathers Educational Series in the Correctional Facilities

PCAIN recently met with representatives from the Indiana Department of Corrections who enthusiastically reaffirmed our educational efforts. We've been doing Nurturing Fathers since 2007 at Edinburgh Correctional Facility and since 2011 in Plainfield. We have also done classes at Branchville, Pendleton, Wabash Valley, the Women's Prison, and the Marion County Jail. The wonderful bonus here is that the participants who reside in these facilities are eager to learn more about parenting before they go home. 

Carol Pool, MSW, PCAIN Prevention Education Specialist

PCAIN / Dads Inc. -- Happy Father’s Day

Dads Inc would like to wish all fathers and father images a Happy Father’s Day. Wishes become Promises when Dads make fulfillable commitments to their children and families.

• Happy is the child who is under the love and supervision of a parent who nurtures their growth and safety.
• Being a Superhero is more about daily feats of unselfishness than jumping buildings. 
• Believe you are/can be a Good Dad
• Educate and Practice Good Fatherhood
• Surround yourself with good examples/supportive people

For education/inspiration visit: www.fatherhood.gov and www.Nurturingfathers.com

Brian Carter, LBSW, Dads Inc. Program Director/PCAIN Prevention Educational Specialist