What you can do to prevent or stop child abuse/ Indiana
What you can do Reach out Anything you do to support children and parents can help reduce the stress that may lead to abuse and neglect. If a parent seems to be struggling, lend a hand with errands, offer to baby-sit or just lend an ear. Be a friend to a child you know. For more information, see the Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Web site: www.pcain.org. Be a mentor Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wabash Valley offers a variety of opportunities for adults to serve as mentors to children in community-based, site-based and faith-based settings, either one-on-one or as a married couple. For more information, visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wabash Valley Web site: www.bbbslaf.com. Be a child advocate A Court Appointed Special Advocate, or CASA, is a volunteer who looks out for the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. In Tippecanoe County this year, 101 volunteers have worked with 431 children, but 83 children are waiting to be paired with CASAs. For more information, call CASA at (765) 423-9109. Be a foster parent Foster parents provide 24-hour care to children who can no longer safely remain in their homes because of the risk of abuse or neglect or due to behaviors that may result in danger to themselves or others. To learn more about being a foster parent, try the Indiana Foster Care and Adoption Association Web site: www.ifcaa.org Report child abuse If you suspect abuse or neglect of a child, Indiana law requires that you report it. Call the Indiana Department of Child Services 24-hour hot line at (800) 800-5556. You may also call your county's Child Protection Services office. In Tippecanoe County, that number is 429-5100. If you think a child is in immediate danger, call your local law enforcement. Upcoming events (Indiana) Here are some upcoming activities, compiled by the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation, related to the Stopping Child Abuse-Neglect Initiative. For more events, see jconline.com. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Elmhurst Community Building, 1114 State St. The Neighborhoods/Community breakout group from last year's summit meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. Contact Susan Smith at president@fsilafayette.org or 423-5361. 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jane's Deli. The Quality Early Childhood Education group from last year's summit meets. Contact Jane Harvey at harveyj@purdue.edu. Noon Sept. 13, Mental Health Association, 914 South St. Jim Sands, director of Greater Lafayette Area Special Services (GLASS), will discuss the legal rights of students and their parents regarding access to mental health services through the public schools.w 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. Sept. 14, Sacred Grounds Coffee Shop, 724 Wabash Ave. The School-aged Education group from last year's summit meets. Contact Pat Corey at pcorey@ivytech.edu. Noon Sept. 14, at Head Start, 3600 Eisenhower Road. The Preschool/Parenting group from last year's summit meets. Contact Nina Pomery at pomerywl@aol.com. 10 a.m. Sept. 29, Community and Family Resource Center offices, first-floor conference room, 100 Saw Mill Road. The Health group from last year's summit meets. Angela Smith Grossman is leading this group. Contact Angela Smith Grossman at Angela.SmithGrossman@fssa.in.gov. Noon Oct. 2, Community and Family Resource Center offices, first-floor conference room, 100 Saw Mill Road. The Justice group from last year's summit meets. Contact Pam Biggs-Reed at pbr@cfrc.org. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 5 at a site to be determined. Youth Workers Cafe will present "Practical Ways to Use the 40 Developmental Assets." Cost: $15; $10 for United Way member agencies. Contact Jillian Miller at inrn@glvb.org. Noon Oct. 11, Mental Health Association, 914 South St. Representatives of the Community and Family Resource Center, The Counseling Center, Family Services Inc. and Alpine Clinic will discuss what mental health services are available for children in Tippecanoe County. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2, Faith Baptist Church, 5526 Indiana 26 E. Second annual Stopping Child Abuse-Neglect Summit. Registration is not yet open. Check the Community Foundation Web site for updates: www.glcfonline.org Noon Nov. 8, Mental Health Association, 914 South St. Dianna Huddleston, director of the Community Living Program for Children and Adolescents for Wabash Valley Hospital, will discuss the new program that provides one-on-one case management services to children. Noon Dec. 13, Mental Health Association, 914 South St. Kris Tiffany, school psychologist with Greater Lafayette Area Special Services, will explain how families can access free services for children through the school system and GLASS. http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060903/NEWS/609030319