The Link

10/22/2012
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE IOWA

Advocate will train Iowans to be champions for children 2012 Child Abuse Prevention Conference focuses on supporting families

Des Moines, IA - October 22, 2012 - The former director of the Food Research and Action Center and deputy assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare under the Carter administration will be in Des Moines on October 24 to share strategies for advocating on behalf of Iowa's children.

Nancy Amidei's visit is part of the 2012 Child Abuse Prevention Conference, hosted by Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, which will take place at the Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport, 6111 Fleur Drive. The day-long event will bring together 250 professionals, parents and volunteers from across the state to discuss best practices and resources for building community engagement in educating and supporting families.

"Many of the professionals we work with are focused on providing services to families in their communities and may not realize the important role they play in advocating for policies and opportunities that benefit Iowa's children," said Steve Scott, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Iowa. "This year's conference will inspire and give attendees tactics for working together so that their voices are heard among local leaders."

The conference offers a valuable training opportunity for professionals increasingly working with high-risk families with fewer resources. The cost of preventing child abuse is far less than the nearly $64,000 spent per child to treat the effects of abuse including hospitalization, special education and juvenile justice, according to an economic impact analysis released by Prevent Child Abuse America.

With this year's theme of "Voices Together for Prevention," attendees will also learn about 10 initiatives related to child abuse prevention. Expert speakers will address current methods for engaging families including trauma-informed care and interpersonal skills.

About Prevent Child Abuse Iowa:

Since 1975, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa has served its mission of leading child abuse prevention efforts in Iowa through advocacy, awareness and assistance. It is the only statewide organization dedicated to preventing child abuse. Prevent Child Abuse Iowa manages state and federal grant programs, which contribute financial support to community groups that provide services to families. Prevent Child Abuse Iowa is based in Des Moines, but has partnerships in nearly every county throughout Iowa. For more information, call (800) CHILDREN or visit www.pcaiowa.org.

-30-

(CONTACT: Sarah Welch, Communications Director, Prevent Child Abuse Iowa, swelch@pcaiowa.org, 515-244-2200)