Safe & Sound Programs
Programs sponsored and supported by the Safe & Sound Child Advocacy Center include:
-
Annual Meeting/Seminar - In addition to elections and awards, a well-known speaker provides a seminar on relevant topics to community professionals.
-
Forensic Interviewing - Coordinating the investigation of child sexual or severe physical abuse limit child trauma and increase child safety.
-
Adopt a Child’s Smile - A dental program for low-income, uninsured Midland County children.
-
Parent Education - Positive Parenting for Pre-Schoolers.
-
Partnership with Youth - A collaborative community partnership to assess, evaluate and respond to the needs of Midland County adolescents.
-
Child Passenger Safety Program - A community initiative to purchase and distribute car seats and provide instruction on correct use to Midland County families.
-
Community Education/Parenting Awareness Month - Unique to Michigan, parenting is celebrated as the single most noble occupation.
Click on the links above or view our brochure for additional information about Safe & Sound's programs.
Annual Meeting/Seminar
Safe & Sound annually sponsors an educational seminar for parents and professionals on a topic related to child abuse and neglect. The seminar usually features a nationally recognized expert in the field. As part of the annual meeting, the Outstanding Achievement Award winner is honored for their work in actively promoting the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Midland County. The 2007 program featured Sandra Metcalf presenting on Mean Girls-Relational Aggression in Girls of All Ages.
The 2008 seminar, scheduled for February 28,
will focus on new research of interventions on autistic behaviors in children. Our
presenter, Janine P. Stichter,
Associate Director of Educational Research and Practice at
Adopt a Child’s Smile
This program, available to uninsured children in Midland County, offers
both preventative and restorative dental care. It is coordinated by community volunteers in collaboration with the Midland County Dental Society. The dentists who participate offer services at reduced fees and also donate a portion of their services.
Dow Corning Corporation has, through a
competitive process, selected the Adopt A Child's Smile Program to be the
recipient of a $3,000 grant. This gift will be used to provide dental
care for the uninsured children of
Parent Education
“Positive Parenting for Pre-Schoolers” is a program on redirecting and managing children’s behavior using an interactive format with educational videos. A parent educator/facilitator from the Midland County Educational Service Agency leads discussion related to the four scenarios depicted in the video that parents of young children may encounter on a daily basis. This program is available upon request to Midland County residents.
Other parent and community education programs offered in the area are frequently publicized through the Safe & Sound CAC.
Click here for a Back to School Family Guide from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Partnership with Youth
Partnership with Youth is a collaborative community partnership to assess, evaluate and respond to the needs of Midland County adolescents.
In October 2007, the Partnership with Youth committee presented a workshop -- "Working with Stressed and Traumatized Children and Adolescents: Approaches for Defiant, Disruptive, & Angry Youth." The course director, John Micsak, MA, LLPC, CTC, is a regional clinical supervisor for Holy Cross Children's Services in Michigan and is associated with the Michigan Trauma Loss Center. He has over 28 years of experience working with vulnerable youth and is a certified Trauma Consultant and Trainer.
Micsak focused on helping defiant and angry youth by concentrating on trauma and stress related issues. He offered cutting edge insights into how trauma impacts our children and described innovative strategies and therapeutic environments to help youth deal with stress. Please click below to learn more about techniques for helping defiant and angry youth.
Creating a Therapeutic Environment
Plans are underway for the 2009 workshop - How to Build Assets in our Youth, scheduled for May 1 at the Valley Plaza in Midland. Save the date, and please check back for more information.
Child Passenger Safety Program 
This program provides car seats to low-income families in Midland County. It also provides correct car seat use education and installation. Periodic car seat inspections for correct use and recall information are also offered.
Starting July 1, 2008, Michigan enacted a new booster seat law. All children MUST use a booster seat until they are 4'9" or 8 years old. Please click here or view this short video clip for more information.
Community Education
Safe & Sound publishes and shares resources that help to reduce child abuse and neglect. Some of the current publications include, “Don’t Know Which Way To Turn,” “Child Abuse and Neglect–A Guide for People Who Work with Young Children,” “When Children Get Angry–What To Do.” Please contact Safe & Sound for a complete list.
Click the links below to view past issues of Aegis, the Safe & Sound newsletter.
Parenting Awareness Month
Unique to Michigan, the month of March is “Parenting Awareness Month.” This is an opportunity to celebrate parenting, the most important job there is.