Prevention Programs

Child Abuse Prevention

Every ten seconds a child in the United States is abused. Knowing how to prevent child abuse is everybody's business. Child abuse is hurting a child not by accident. There are four types of abuse:

• Physical Abuse
• Sexual Abuse
• Mental Injury
• Neglect

Everyone in in the state of Maryland is mandated to report child abuse.  Health practitioners, police officers, educators, human service workers and anyone who works with children run the risk of losing their certification or license if they fail to report child abuse.  The Frederick County Mental Health Association can help by providing the following services:

• Free literature about all types of abuse
• Free trainings for childcare providers, educators and other human service workers in Frederick County on recognizing and reporting child abuse
• Consultation to schools and pre-school centers about personal body safety curricula
• "Positive Parenting for Your Child" designed to teach parents creative and positive discipline techniques
• The "Kids on the Block" child abuse prevention puppet show
• Annual public awareness campaign during the month of April

To report child abuse in Frederick County, or to receive consultation regarding a situation you are unsure about, call Child Protective Services at (301) 694-2426.

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KIDS on the BLOCK

Kids on the Block is part of a nationwide organization that has been in existence since 1977 whose mission is to provide education through entertainment. The Kids on the Block are a group of life-size puppets that resemble real children. Each one experiences problems that  children face everyday. Visit the Kids on the Block website at http://www.kotb.com.

Click on the Kids on the Block picture for more information about scripts offered in Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett counties and for booking information.

Youth Education Outreach programs

Youth Education Outreach programs are offered to children and youth in Frederick County. These programs are free of charge and are available to school and community groups.  Programs can be altered to accommodate specific needs and can be scheduled throughout the calendar year.

• Kids in Self-Care: Designed for students in grades 1-4, this program helps children understand, identify and reduce feelings of anxiety when they are home alone
• Solving conflicts:  Designed for elementary school age children, this program teaches children conflict resolution skills.
• Stress Management:  Appropriate for students in grades 5-8, this program allows young teens to identify sources of stress, develop ways to cope, and identify support systems.  Special program offered for 5th graders on the stress of transitioning to middle school.
• Anger Management:  This program helps students in grades 5-12 identify and recognize anger triggers and anger styles.  It also  identifies positive ways to express anger.
• Bullies:  Presented to students in grades 3-9, this program focuses on understanding, identifying, and reducing gossip and taunting

To schedule Child Abuse Training, book a Kids on the Block performance, or schedule a Youth Education Outreach presentation, please contact Beth Santa Maria at (301) 663-0011.

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"parent POWER" CLASSES

Frustrated?  Feeling stressed?  Want to learn how to creatively discipline your child?  The Mental Health Association offers parenting classes on a weekly basis.  Classes run for seven weeks and are currently offered on Saturday mornings.  Topics discussed include anger and stress management, positive and creative discipline, psychological, physical, and emotional development of children, and self-care.   Free child-care is offered.

To register for Parent Power classes, contact Beth Santa Maria at (301) 663-0011.

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CASA of Frederick County (Court appointed special advocate)

Every year over 500,000 children in the United States are forced into court through no fault of their own. Some are victims of violence or abuse. Others have been neglected or even abandoned by their own parents. Most of them are frightened and confused. Often these children also become victims of this country's overburdened child welfare system, a complex legal network of lawyers, social workers, and judges, who frequently are too overburdened to give thorough, detailed attention to each child who comes before them. The consequences can be severe.

The National Court Appointed Special Advocate program, known as CASA, was created in 1977 to ensure that these children have a voice. Using trained community volunteers, CASA advocates for the best interest of children in the foster care system, with the goal of ensuring them safe, permanent homes.

For information on how to become a volunteer please contact Jennifer Fuss at (301) 663-0011.

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SUPERVISED VISITATION/MONITORED TRANSFER program

The Supervised Visitation Program provides a forum for children and their non-custodial parent to develop or re-establish an ongoing familial relationship in a safe environment. Visitation takes place under the supervision of program staff and volunteers who are trained to intervene if the child’s safety is threatened or if inappropriate subjects are discussed.  Staff will terminate the visit if the safety or emotional well being of the child is considered threatened.

The Monitored Transfer Program allows for the safe transfer of children from one parent to another with nether parent coming in contact with each other. Staff members escort the children from one parent to another in a safe neutral setting.

Both Supervised Visitation and Monitored Transfer services are available between 6:00pm and 9:00pm on Fridays, and between 3:00pm and 6:00pm on Sundays. Services take place in a secure location with an on site security guard.

Both the Custodial Parent and Non-Custodial Parent must meet with the Program Coordinator, separately, for an Intake Interview before services can begin. During the Intake Interview the Client’s relevant information is gathered, the clients sign and have the Conditions for Participation explained to them, a fee for services are set, and visits or transfers are scheduled. All interviews take place at the Mental Health Association.

The fees for Supervision are determined on a sliding fee scale that is based on the income of the participants. Fees are charged to the client to who is required to pay for services in the court order. If nether client is required to pay for services then the costs are split between both parties. In order to set fees all clients will need to provide three months of pay stubs and proof of employment.

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