Prevent Child Abuse Council Calaveras (PCAC) is partnering with every school district in Calaveras County to end abuse and violence through the HANDS and WORDS project.
For child abuse statistics countywide and the ongoing effort in the schools to educate children through a program to help end violence click read more below.
Calaveras County Students Pledge to End Violence and Abuse
Calaveras County, CA (March 27, 2012) – We probably all know someone who may have suffered at the hands and words of bullies. They can carry both physical and emotional scars from years of violence that were unaddressed in schools or at home. This April, thousands of youth in Calaveras County schools will take the pledge to end violence. The pledge “I Will Not Use My Hands or My Words for Hurting Myself or Others” was heard today by the Calaveras County Board of Supervisors who designated April as Hands & Words Are Not for Hurting Month in Calaveras County. Children and adults will be learning how to pay attention to the things they do or say to themselves and others that cause pain… from name calling, shoving, hitting, to actions that can lead to suicide or murder. Anger is a feeling, but abuse and violence is always a choice.
The campaign is a partnership of Prevent Child Abuse Council Calaveras, Calaveras Unified School District, Mark Twain Union Elementary School District, Vallecito Union School District, Bret Harte Union High School, Calaveras County Office of Education, The Resource Connection, First 5 Calaveras, and several agencies that work to support the health, safety, and education of children.
In 2011, Calaveras County Children’s Services Department received 644 reports of child abuse involving 966 children. The department has seen a 15.5 percent decrease in reports in 2011 and a 10 percent decrease in each of the two previous years. “We are pleased to see a steady decrease in the rate of abused and neglected children, however we also know even one child abused is one too many. Also, certain types of abuse, such as sexual abuse, are often under-reported.” said Robin Davis, Coordinator of Prevent Child Abuse Council Calaveras.
Agency partnerships strengthen a family’s response to crisis before a child is harmed. Last year, 885 parents, caregivers, and educators attended free countywide parent workshops, seminars, and counseling. Another ninety parents attended workshops delivered in Spanish. When parents gain new skills to strengthen the bonds with their children everyone benefits.
Neglect is the most prevalent form of child abuse in the United States and accounted for 57 percent of allegations this year in Calaveras County. Neglect often happens in times of crisis when there is an ongoing pattern of inadequate care such as a child’s poor hygiene, poor weight gain, inadequate medical care, or frequent absences from school. Emotional neglect includes spousal abuse in the child’s presence, allowing a child to use drugs or alcohol, and constant belittling the child and withholding affection. “Hands & Words Are Not for Hurting” reinforces that every child should feel safe and be treated with equality and respect.This April, join hands and hearts with others across the country to end abuse and violence. To learn more, call Prevent Child Abuse Council Calaveras at 209-754-6917 or visit www.handsproject.org.Free Parent Workshops & Family Events in April
APRIL 7: Eat! Play! Create! Family Play Date
The Center for Creativity & Community, 10 AM-Noon, “Hands & Hearts”, Kids in the Kitchen, Make & Take Art, Songs & Stories. For more information, call 209-747-1194.
APRIL 3, 10, 17, 24, & May 1: La Familia Sana (5 part series in Spanish)
Valley Springs Elementary School, 6-8 PM, presented by Eugene Alliende, LMFT.
Registration required. Call 1-888-787-3654.
April 12: Stress Relief for Child Care Providers & Parents
10877 Conductor Blvd., Sutter Creek, 6-8 PM, presented by Brandy Astwood, Motherlode Holistic Foundation. Registration required. Call 209-223-1624.
APRIL 19 & 26: Partners in Parenting: Working Together as a Team (2 part seminar)
Calaveras Behavioral Annex, 373 W. St. Charles St., San Andreas, 6-8 PM, presented by Carole Vance, LMFT. Childcare provided ages 3-12. Registration required. Call 1-888-787-3654.
April 19: Program for Infant/Toddler Caregivers Workshop
501 Gold Strike Rd, Building F, 6:30-8:30 PM. Learn techniques to gain success in listening and responding to the needs of the families. Presented by Charlotte Beck, Registration required. Call 209-754-1075.
APRIL 28: Children’s Fair
Bret Harte High School, 10 AM-2 PM, hands-on activities, food, entertainment, information, a diaper derby and more! For more information, call 209-754-1075.
See the Strengthening Families Calendar of Events at www.pcacalaveras.org
FY 2011-12 General Child Abuse Statistics for Calaveras County
Obtained by Calaveras Works and Human Services Agency Children’s Services
Child Abuse Reports by Supervisorial District
Reports received: 664
Children Involved: 966
(Female: 483, Male: 478, Unknown: 5)
# Referrals Investigated: 480
Responded within 2 hours: 77
Evaluated out: 297
Referred to Community Partners: 67
Types of Child Abuse Allegations
Neglect: (57%) 642
Emotional Abuse: (13%) 150
Physical Abuse: (12%) 134
Sexual Abuse/Exploitation: (7%) 78
Caretaker Absence/Abandonment: (7%) 80
“At Risk” Abuse of Sibling: (4%) 48
Note: The total number of allegations exceeds the total number of referrals because some referrals include multiple allegations.
Reports Received By Age Groups:
0-5 years of age: (36%) 343
6-9 years of age: (24%) 235
10-13 years of age: (21%) 200
14-17 years of age: (1%) 187
18+ years of age: (.10%) 1
Note: The actual number in the age groups may exceed the total number of reports because some were reported to have been victims more than once during the year, or after they turned a new age.
Family Maintenance: 25
(Monthly average of children who continued living with their own families and received ongoing support services and supervision through Calaveras Works & Human Services Agency)
| DISTRICT 1 – Supervisor Gary Tofanelli | |
| Valley Springs/Jenny Lind * | 144 |
| San Andreas | 111 |
| Burson/Wallace | 13 |
| Campo Seco | 3 |
| DISTRICT 2 – Supervisor Steve Wilensky | |
| West Point/Wilseyville | 32 |
| Glencoe/Mokelumne Hill | 29 |
| Mountain Ranch/Sheep Ranch | 19 |
| Rail Road Flat | 14 |
| DISTRICT 3 – Supervisor Merita Callaway | |
| Arnold/Avery | 46 |
| Murphys | 43 |
| Hathaway Pines | 1 |
| Douglas Flat/Vallecito | 7 |
| Camp Connell/Dorrington | 4 |
| DISTRICT 4 – Supervisor Tom Tryon | |
| Altaville/Angels Camp | 70 |
| Copperopolis | 73 |
| DISTRICT 5 – Supervisor Darren Spellman | |
| Valley Springs/Jenny Lind * | 144 |
| Out of County | 35 |
| Unknown | 20 |
* Although they are in different districts, reports for Valley Springs and Jenny Lind are calculated together.
New Open Cases (Families): 82
(Children): 112
Children in Out-of Home Placement
(Monthly Average)
Emergency Shelter/Receiving Home: 0
Foster Care: 38
Group Home: 1
Legal Guardianship (non-relative) 12
Relative Home: 28
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