By Tara Oldroyd

There is a great work going on in Logan that is receiving little or no recognition. The Child and Family Support Center is an organization in Logan dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. The center offers support for children and adults who are victims of abuse.

Statistics for abuse in this country are increasing at an alarming rate. Three children die per day in the United States as a result of abuse and neglect. Eight-two percent of these victims were under the age of 5.

In 2001, the Cache County Attorney saved 1,555 victims of abuse. Of those, 1,421 were sexual abuse cases. This figure is often overlooked by residents of Cache Valley.

The center is doing its part to help victims of abuse and also prevent further abuse from taking place. It operates 24 hours and offers a number of resources for children and adults who are victims of abuse. These resources included parenting classes, social skills classes for children and also parent-support groups.

One of the most notable features of the center is its nursery. The nursery offers crisis, respite and shelter care for children. Parents using the respite care can leave their children in the nursery during a designated time each week while coping with high stress situations. Children in shelter are cared for at the center during their transitions to alternate living situations. The center also offers therapy to groups and individuals. Currently there are therapy groups for both women and young girls.

There is very little funding for programs like the Child and Family Support Center. It is a private, non-profit organization. Much of the funding comes from grants, and the United Way. Primary funding for the nursery comes from the Utah Department of Human Services. The center is in great need of funds right now to expand their facility. They have very limited space and resources to serve the number of people who utilize the centers programs.

Jeana Lee is a parent advocate at the center. She participates in outreach programs and one-on-one parenting education in the homes of clients. Jeana also facilitates parent support groups. One of Jeana's most interesting responsibilities is the "Good Touch/Bad Touch" program being run through the elementary schools in Cache Valley.

"Good Touch/Bad Touch is abuse prevention curriculum that focuses on teaching tools to stay safe from sexual abuse," Lee said. "It targets kids preschool through 6th grade." This program is taught in the classrooms with teachers and also parent's permission. Children are encouraged, but not required to attend.

Lee is a Utah State University graduate in social work. The center works closely with the university to fill its intern positions. The social work department is able to provide an internship each semester for one or two of its students. Internship positions are also filled each semester by students in the Success program. Along with the available internships, there are other ways that students and the community can volunteer and get involved at the CFSC. Volunteers are needed each night and on weekends in the nursery.

One of the best ways that Cache Valley residents can support the Center right now is through monetary donations. Elaine Moffitt, administrative assistant, and Heidi Spackman, an intern, expressed the Center's great need for donations right now.

"We have to expand our facilities, it is way to small to help the number of people we want to help," explained Spackman. While volunteers will always be needed, funding is the major concern right now at the center. The center also accepts donations of new or used clothing or toys and non-perishable foods.

The center works closely with UtahParent.com and other related programs that can be found on the Youth Services Program Web site presented by the state of Utah. Statistics on abuse in Utah and other states are offered by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect.

The Child and Family Support Center is located at 380 West 1400 North, Logan and can be contacted at 435-752-8880.

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