In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, an initiative that challenges our community to examine what each of us can do to prevent child abuse, Child Abuse Neglect (CAN) Council, along with presenting sponsor Michigan Sugar, is planning events and activities to engage the community. Find the full list of events here.
In reflecting on Child Abuse Prevention Month, Mr. Rutkowski noted:
Protection of our children should be one of the top priorities of any society. We recognize child abuse neglect prevention month to highlight importance of our children. With the support of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Huron County Child Advocacy Center, and the Child Abuse Neglect Council, the Huron County Prosecutor’s office is able to proactively protect our children in Huron County.
The CAN Council is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect through its nationally accredited and evidence-based education, intervention, and advocacy programs. It has consistently grown over the past 43 years since starting in Saginaw to meet the needs of children and families throughout Arenac, Bay, Huron, and Saginaw counties.
The newest CAN Council initiative coming to Huron County is the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) are highly trained volunteers serving as the voice for children in the court system due to abuse and neglect. Each CASA volunteer advocates on behalf of one child or sibling group at a time. These volunteers stay with each case until it is closed, and the child or sibling group is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many of these children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.
To learn more about the CAN Council, how to become a CASA Volunteer, or to schedule a tour of the local office at 219 E. Huron Ave., please call (989) 623-0257.
