Members of the Board of Directors.
Legislation and Statutes Related to the Work of CTF.
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention research and information including research related to the well-being of children.
Information on past and future conferences that provide training for our grantees.
Information on programs funded by the county in Michigan where services are provided.
Information on Child Abuse Prevention Month, Circle of Parents, and the Southeast Shaken Baby Project.
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Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County
Prevention Area Served: Muskegon County
Grant Tier: 3 ($20,000)
Website: Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County
Address:
1781 Peck Street
Muskegon, MI 49441-2532
Phone: 231-728-6410
Coordinator: Sabryna Benmark
Email: sbenmark@childabusecouncil.org
Arbor Circle
Prevention Area Served: Muskegon County
Grant Period: FY20-FY23
Website: Arbor Circle
Address:
1060 W. Norton Shores
Muskegon, MI 49441
Phone: 231-777-2222
Contact: Leigh Moerdyke
Email: lmoerdyke@arborcircle.org
Project: Arbor Circle is applying for funds to provide a broad spectrum of parenting services and to create a system where parent education is embedded in the community through local, informal leadership. Our goal is to engage and equp local, informal leaders who have the capacity to integrate parenting knowledge into their communities through providing seminars and parent education in less formal settings. Providing parent education this way is meant to change the cultural of parents accessing parent education and increase participation in more formal parent education classes. In Muskegon County, there is a perception that parent education and support is primarily for parents who are involved in the child welfare or justice system in some way; that parent education is for parents who have been labeled "those bad parents". However, what research indicates and what the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework demonstrates is to build thriving families, all parents need support and education. The Strengthening Families Protective Factors Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development explain parents need knowledge about the growth and development of their child at the time the child is going through the state. Too early, and the knowledge won't be able to be used. Too late, and ttere's a missed opportunity. In Muskegon County, there is a network of local, informal influencers who are involved at grassroots level in making their community a thriving one. This network is often unknown to formal service providers, but is an important resource for community members. Given the United Way defined ALICE rate in Muskegon County, these local leaders need to be supported in providing resources and information to the parents they connect with. This support needs to be provided both with evidence-based knowledge, but also with financial resources to support their time. The use of these local leaders is supported by the Center for Community Based Child Abuse Prevention National Research Organization FRIENDS NRC, whose research supports the use of parent leadership in parent education and support.