Providing critical social services that protect the children of Collin County
Courtesy Family Compass
Many of us who make our homes in Collin County enjoy all that it has to offer and can understand why we are experiencing such a population boom. We have easy access to some of the best restaurants, entertainment, healthcare, and a low crime rate that makes us feel safe raising our children. Our days are filled with decisions that are about improving our lives and those of our loved ones, and many revolve around ensuring our children have safe, happy lives. We carefully choose the best schools, daycare, and playgrounds, and when our children are sick, we choose the best doctors and hospitals.
Protecting the Children in Our Community
In some neighborhoods, however, children raised in at-risk families experience days filled with uncertainty, neglect or, worse, abuse at the hands of the very adults who should be protecting them. It’s hard to fathom that in Collin County, there were more than 4,800 reported cases of child abuse in 2014, according to a recent CPS data book. Fortunately there are several organizations that do an outstanding job addressing this issue and have made great strides in protecting these children. As non-profits, they depend on the generosity of residents and businesses that donate so that these programs can operate.
Many of us give our change when we shop, donate annually to our favorite charities, or sign up for fun events from galas to golf tournaments. These are ways that we, as residents, can help vital social services like child abuse prevention charities as they work hard to protect the innocence of children. Without your participation, the non-profits are unable to expand and provide services to some of these children and at-risk families. One such organization is Family Compass who expanded in January to open their Collin County location following a merger with Family Outreach.
Family Compass is the largest North Texas non-profit dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and has helped more than 41,000 children since it was founded in 1992. Headed up by executive director Jessica Slie Trudeau, they bring proven child abuse prevention education programming to help address the growing need in Collin County.
Jessica Trudeau explains, “As Collin County’s population continues to grow rapidly, so does the risk of abuse. The new location in Collin County allows us to help more children and at-risk families now and for many years to come. In addition to a moral obligation to protect our community’s children, prevention services make sense financially for Collin County. The CDC estimates the lifetime cost of abuse for each individual is $210,012. For example, the 1,168 confirmed cases in Collin County in 2013 will have an estimated lifetime cost of more than $240 million. Alternatively, it costs just $1,500 annually per child to receive services to prevent abuse.” Typically the services involve counseling and parent education classes over the course of one or several years to help parents learn more positive parenting techniques. “We bring the necessary programming and funding infrastructure to focused efforts on ensuring that children are protected from abuse and able to retain their innocence,” says Trudeau.
She has played a key role in building out Family Compass’ fundraising programs in the past five years since joining the non-profit and has plans to bring that funding infrastructure to Collin County. Her message is clear: child abuse is preventable. We know the risk factors that occur when child abuse happens and we know how to counsel and teach parents a more positive way. Ninety-eight percent of the children who have gone through the classes with their parents test as normal in a number of developmental factors.
“In addition to the 4,800 children reported to Child Protective Services last year as abused in our community, there were many more children who were victimized in criminal child abuse cases,” says Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County CEO Lynne McLean. “The numbers continue to increase and Family Compass will build upon the strong foundation laid by Family Outreach over the past 41 years to offer critically important evidenced-based child abuse prevention services to Collin County families. We are thrilled to welcome Family Compass to Collin County and to the team co-housed here at CACCC as we work together to prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect.”
How to Get Involved in Some Great Charity Events for a Good Cause
If you would like to participate in one of the events or activities to support a good cause, take time to visit Family Compass’ website. Funds raised go towards programs that are evidence based, voluntary and free of charge to at-risk families. Consider taking a look at some of the activities and events offered by Family Compass and help out a great cause while you are having fun with your family, friends or through your company’s community outreach programs. More information is available on the various ways to get involved, including the annual Charity Golf Classic at the Stonebriar Country Club.
Family Compass is delighted to work alongside co-chairs Kristy Faus and Shakeya McDow, Honorary Chair Former State Senator Florence Shapiro and Mistress of Ceremonies Colleen Coyle (of WFAA) for the 21st annual A Legendary Evening gala to be held on Saturday, April 25, 2015 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. Guests will enjoy a seated dinner with community legends, silent and live auctions, Duff’s Diamond Dig, entertainment and dancing.
During the 2015 Legendary Evening, Ernst & Young will receive the Spirit of Community Restoration Award for investing in our community. Ernst & Young’s focus on education ensures that future generations have the abilities required for societies to thrive. Ernst & Young invests in small-to medium-size businesses, social enterprises, and entrepreneurs, particularly those supporting women and youth.
If you would like to learn more about Family Compass, fun events planned for this year and other ways to support a great cause, visit www.family-compass.org.
Family Compass believes that every child has the fundamental right to a healthy family and environment, the opportunity to succeed in school, and the capacity to experience life without violence.
