Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

Programs: Child abuse prevention conference/other trainings/other preventionthe child abuse prevention conference is an annual event attended by 600-700 child welfare professionals from all parts of the state. The conference, which pca arizona has led since 1990, brings national experts to speak on key topics, and offers 50-60 workshops to support best practices and research-based approaches to keeping children safe and families strong. Attendees include dcs supervisors and staff, child welfare agency representatives, policymakers, medical and behavioral health specialists, home visitors, educators, law enforcement personnel, judges, attorneys, court-appointed special advocates, foster parents, and others concerned for the well-being of arizonas children. Other trainings are offered throughout the year which train professionals in keeping children safe and families strong.

yavapai family advocacy centerthe yavapai family advocacy center, founded in 2000, provides comprehensive services for child and adult victims of sexual abuse and family violence. Victims receive comprehensive crisis services onsite, including forensic medical exams, mental health counseling and victim advocacy, as well as assistance with law enforcement, child protective services and prosecution of the perpetrator. In 2016 and 2017 over 500 adult and child victims were served through the one-stop multiagency approach offered at the center.

maternal infant early childhood home visiting program (miechv)pca arizona contracted with the arizona department of health services in 2016 to provide trainings for early childhood home visiting staff, car seat safety technicians, tribal communities and other maternal child health professionals throughout the state. Never shake a baby programthrough a grant from the arizona child abuse prevention license plate program pca arizona educated 35,000 new parents at the time of birth in 2016 about coping with infant crying and the dangers of shaking. Through participating birthing hospitals around the state, new parents are provided the education by training nurses, who also provide a short video and take home information.