Child Protection Center (CPC)

The Child Protection Center operates four programs in the prevention, intervention and treatment of Child abuse. The prevention and education program (psca) educates children, teachers and community members about measures to prevent and report Child abuse. (fy2022 program revenue: $258,150, expenses $346,548)the intervention programs forensically assess allegations of Child abuse, and provide a safe place for children to visit parents who are in unhealthy domestic relationships. (program revenue $1,126,911, expenses $1,114,602)continued on schedule o the treatment programs provide therapy to victims of sexual abuse and therapy for children who act out on other children. (program revenue $824,580, expenses $836,580)in 1978, the junior league of sarasota conducted a community needs assessment, which led to the establishment of the community coalition of children and families in 1980. It would later be named the Child Protection Center (cpc).the mission of the Child Protection Center is the prevention, intervention and treatment of Child abuse. We envision a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. To successfully address the issue of Child abuse, efforts in prevention, intervention and treatment must be implemented. The unique comprehensive continuum of services developed over the more than forty- year history of the Child Protection Center, Inc. exemplifies such an effort.cpc's intervention programs are the Child Protection team (cpt) and the children and families supervised visitation program (cfsvp).the Child Protection team (cpt) began in 1980 and is a legislatively mandated program working in partnership with Child Protection investigators of the Florida department of children and families (dcf) and local law enforcement agencies in cases of children who are suspected victims of sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect. Thismultidisciplinary program provides expertise in evaluating allegations of abuse and neglect, assessing risk factors, and providing recommendations for interventions to protect children. Services provided by cpt include forensic interviews, psychological and psychosocial assessments, forensic medical assessments and court testimony. Cpt is the only provider authorized by the state to perform these functions in sarasota and desoto counties. In fy 2022, cpt provided 244 medical exams and consults, and 684 forensic and specialized interviews.the children and families supervised visitation program (cfsvp) began in 1995 to facilitate court ordered visits between out of home parents and their children. Cfsvp provides a safe place for children to interact with parents without the stress of being in the middle of a family argument, observing a parent who is impaired by substance abuse and without uncomfortable conversations that include adult topics. By accessing by the cfsvp, the risk of violence to children will decrease. Ongoing parent and Child contact, through supervised visitation, has been shown to be crucial to a Child's mental health and ability to build a healthy relationship with the non-custodial parent. Over 50 sarasota county citizens serve as cfsvp volunteers. In fy 2022, cfsvp provided 456 supervised visits.cpc's prevention program is the personal safety and community awareness program (psca) which began in early 1992. Psca provides primary abuse prevention education to children from preschool through high school. The program also facilitates workshops for their caregivers, childcare professionals, teachers, school board staff and the greater community. Psca has over 20 workshops, such as internet safety, sexual abuseprevention, and anti-bullying. The focus is the creation of a future in which children are empowered and educated, adults are aware and equipped, and our community is a safer place for children and families. In fy 2022, psca provided educational workshops to 67,040 children and adults in the community.cpc's treatment program is provided by cpc's therapy program which began in 1986. Therapy programs provide individual, family, and group therapy services to children in sarasota and desoto counties. Therapists serve children who have been physically & sexually abused, children exhibiting problematic sexual behaviors, and extend intervention services to the primary client's non-offending caregiver and siblings. The focus is to provide mental health support, intervention, and treatment to children and families experiencing crisis and trauma, as well as reduce child-on-child sexual abuse. Through effective trauma treatment, we restore the health, development, relationships, and the safety of children and families. In fy 2022, cpc's therapy program provided 3,553 hours of therapy. Cpc's pet advocate working in sarasota (paws) program began in 2010. Paws allow dogs to promote comfort and courage to children as they begin therapy, attend depositions and testify in court.cpc was awarded the 2015 frank g. berlin, sr. small business awards non-profit of the year by the greater sarasota chamber of commerce. Cpc was awarded the 2019 non-profit of the year by the venice area chamber of commerce.this past year marks the 42nd anniversary of cpc and its fight against Child abuse. As we look back on these 42 years, we see the thousands of children who learned personal safety from psca, who built stronger relationships with their parents in cfsvp, whose health and safety were assessed by cpt, and who took the first steps on their path to healing in therapy. We see the dedication of our staff and volunteers, who wake up every day determined to build a safer world for children. We see you - our supporters, advocates, superheroes - and your inspiring generosity as you protect those who cannot protect themselves. We see hope.please visit www.cpcsaratsota.org or cpc's social platforms to learn more about the Child Protection Center and how you can make a difference!facebook- httpswwwfacebookcomchildprotectio... httpswwwinstagramcomcpcsarasotatw... https://twitter.com/cpcsrqyoutube- httpswwwyoutubecomusercpcsarasota