For Immediate Release 9/15/08
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia Announces Community Grant Opportunity
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia and the West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund are pleased to announce a grant opportunity for organizations and qualified individuals working to prevent child abuse and neglect in West Virginia. The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the WV Department of Health and Human Resources provide additional funding support. The purpose of this grant program is the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect in the state.
The Good Beginnings Mini-Grant Program will provide up to 10 grants of $1,000 each for community-based programs that have creative strategies for preventing or reducing the occurrence of child abuse and neglect.
Application guidelines for Good Beginnings Mini-Grants are available on the Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia website at www.preventchildabusewv.org. Application deadline is October 17, 2008.
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to offer grants in support of worthwhile community projects that strengthen families and help children grow up free from abuse and neglect,” said Jim McKay, State Coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse WV. “We hope that these grants will serve as a catalyst for additional community-based prevention activities in communities throughout the state.”
Applications may be submitted by public or private institutions and faith-based communities for the mini-grant program.
More information about these programs and ongoing efforts in West Virginia is available at the WV Children’s Trust Fund website, and the Prevent Child Abuse WV website. For information specific to the grant programs, contact Genny Ferri, Community Partnerships Coordinator, at 1-866-4-KidsWV (866-454-3798) or email genny@teamwv.org.
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia (PCA-WV) is a state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, a national leader in building awareness, providing education, and inspiring hope in everyone involved in the effort to keep children safe and healthy. By supporting effective community programs, public engagement activities and sound public policy, PCA-WV seeks to attain its mission to eliminate child abuse and neglect in West Virginia.
The West Virginia Children’s Trust Fund supports community programs that help create nurturing homes and communities. The Children’s Trust Fund is supported by contributions from individuals through the state income tax form and by donations from West Virginia citizens, businesses and other funders.
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For Immediate Release: September 15, 2008
Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia to Present Panel Discussion:
"Living in Exponential Times: What Does it Mean for Our Children?"
As part of the national, non-partisan “Step Up For Kids Day” being held across the nation on Tuesday, September 16, Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia (PCA-WV) will present a discussion event called "Living in Exponential Times: What Does it Mean for Our Children?" at the Clay Center for the Arts & Sciences in the Walker Theater. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the program begins at 9:00 a.m. There is no cost to attend and registration is available at the door or at the website: http://preventchildabusewv.org/StepUp4Kids/.
The Every Child Matters Education Fund, a national, non-profit, non-partisan organization, is the sponsor of “Step Up for Kids Day.” People in 48 states and the District of Columbia will participate in events aimed at drawing attention to the needs of children and asking elected officials to support new investments in children and families. The event will focus on thoughts about WV's future for its children and explore ways to make children a focus of the 2008 election.
Speakers include First Lady Gayle Manchin, and the event will be moderated by Tom Heywood of Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff & Love. Panelists include Jeff James (Create West Virginia), Isabel Pino (Pediatrician), Gerry Sawrey (Asst. Supt. Cabell Co. Schools), Kenny Perdue (AFL-CIO), Sarah Bailey (Deputy Secretary of State) and Rev. Matthew J. Watts.
The discussion will be videotaped and will be shared online following the event.
For more information, Contact Prevent Child Abuse WV at (304) 697-0340 or see the PCAWV website at www.preventchildabusewv.org.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 4, 2008
MEDIA ADVISORY
World’s Strongest Men to Spend Time With Area Youth
(Charleston) Athletes competing in the Met-Rx World’s Strongest Man competition this weekend in Charleston are scheduled to visit area youth today at the East End Family Resource Center, 502 Ruffner Avenue in Charleston (the old Roosevelt Junior High School.) The athletes are expected to arrive at the Center around 4:45 p.m.
February 7, 2008
MEDIA RELEASE: Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia
West Virginia Lawmakers want to hear from WV Youth: YouTube
Forum with Legislators to be held at Children’s Day at the Legislature 2008
The youth of West Virginia are invited to send their thoughts and questions to their West Virginia lawmakers as part of an innovative new project organized by Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia (PCAWV).
On February 13, 2008, there will be a session at the opening of the annual “Children’s Day at the Legislature,” featuring these YouTube videos, and Legislators have been invited to respond to questions.
“West Virginia’s youth have a lot to say,” Jim McKay, State Coordinator of PCAWV commented. “This event will give them an opportunity to speak directly to lawmakers who should be hearing, and acting on, their concerns.”
Even if an interested young person is unable to send in a video by the February 10 deadline for the event at “Children’s Day,” they are still invited to join the “PCAWV YouTube Group” and send in their submissions. These videos may be used at a later date.
The press is invited to cover the event which will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. on February 13 in the State Cultural Center at the Capitol. The Forum will be moderated by Beth Vorhees, host of WV Public Broadcasting’s “The Legislature Today.”
Download the complete media release
Go to the PCAWV YouTube page
January 29, 2008
MEDIA RELEASE: Prevent Child Abuse America
Child Abuse and Neglect Costs Nation Over $100 Billion per Year; Most Federal Funds Unavailable for Prevention Services and Supports
WASHINGTON, DC – An economic impact analysis released today estimates the costs of child abuse and neglect to society were nearly $104 billion last year, and a companion report highlights the unavailability of federal child welfare funding for programs and services known to be effective at reducing incidences of child abuse and neglect. While the economic costs associated with child abuse and neglect rose to a staggering $103.8 billion in 2007, merely ten percent of federal money dedicated for child welfare, approximately $741.9 million, can currently be used to prevent child abuse and neglect from occurring by strengthening families.
Download the complete media release
Download the report
January 28, 2008
MEDIA RELEASE: Partners in Community Outreach
Report Shows In-Home Family Education is a Proven Strategy for Protecting Children, Reducing State’s Rising Costs by Saving $250 Million Per Year
Partners in Community Outreach recently released a report “A Call to Strengthen Families and Protect Children” that describes the long-term impact of negative childhood experiences in both human and financial costs. The report endorses In-Home Family Education, community-based programs that provide support and education to families of young children in their homes, as a proven method for protecting children and reducing costs, which are projected to continue to rise.
Download the complete media release
Listen to the Telephone Press Conference
Includes comments from:
- Sister Janet Peterworth, ABLE Families, Mingo County
- Jim McKay, Prevent Child Abuse WV
- Jennifer Pettit, Parent
