CARE Program
CARE stands for Child Abuse Resource Enhancement Program. It was created to better serve the sexually abused children and families who come to ChildSafe. The program is a collaboration of community businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies that provide opportunities for sexually abused children and their family members to participate in a variety of services and/or activities.
The CARE program provides a wide variety of counseling, parent/caregiver support, mentoring, early childhood education, and peer activities including athletics, art and music, scouting, and more, all designed to provide activities that reduce the likelihood of future high-risk behaviors and minimize the risk of re-victimization.
CARE services are available for Bexar County children from birth to age 18 who have made an outcry of sexual abuse. ChildSafe clients from beyond Bexar County have the option of coming to the county for CARE services. CARE is underwritten by a variety of generous funders to ensure that family finances are not a barrier to receiving services. Here is a list of CARE partners.
Why was CARE founded?
It was based on national and local studies which found that without meaningful intervention, abused children have high risk behavior such as re-victimization, alcohol and drug abuse, suicidal ideation, depression, teen pregnancy. A local study was conducted by Nancy Kellogg, MD and University of Texas
Health Science Center to investigate recidivism at the ER for sexual assault exams for juvenile victims. The study lead to development of the CARE Program including the specific services of counseling, mentoring, peer activities, and parent support through community partners (CARE–the Child Abuse Resource Enhancement Program).
Is it unique to ChildSafe?
Yes, no other Children’s Advocacy Center in Texas (and there are 65 of them) has a program like CARE. The CARE program’s mission is “to promote healing, reduce the likelihood of future high-risk behaviors, and minimize the risk of re-victimization.”
How many families are served each year?
From September 2009 through August 2010 ChildSafe provided CARE services to 37 primary victims, 326 siblings, and 278 parents.
What does it take to fund CARE?
It costs ChildSafe more than $100,000 year to provide CARE services to children who have been sexually abused and their supportive family members.
Who can participate as a partner?
Partners provide activities or services such as peer activities, mentoring, counseling, parent support, and gift certificates for goods and services that children and families may need. All partners providing activities and services must complete background checks on all of their employees as thoroughly as ChildSafe does, and agree to a cost that is feasible for us relative to the other programs. If you are interested in becoming a CARE service partner, please contact Michelle Orta. If you are interested in providing gift certificates for goods or services, please contact Director of Development at 210-208-5769.