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About Us
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Child Advocacy is a non-profit agency with a mission to
improve the welfare of children and their families through education, training, and support for the prevention of substance abuse and child abuse and neglect.
Our Staff
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Program Director
Emily Rayburn
GCSAC Coordinator
Sara Krebs
GCSAC Prevention
Coordinator
Alexa Morton
GCSAC Prevention Educator
Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director
Richelle Davis
CAN Prevention Educator
Jennifer Leppien
CAN Parenting Coach
Michelle Zombeck
CASA Program Director
Rachel Letsche
CASA Recruitment Coordinator
CAC Program Director
Jennifer Stambaugh
CAC Victim Advocate
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
Nikky Holton
CAC Intake Coordinator
Board of Directors
President
Carolyn Studley
Community
Representative
Vice President
Secretary
Jamie Richardson
Doehring Schultz Insurance Agency
Treasurer
Sara Bonacci
Community
Representative
Garth Anderson
Commercial Bank
Brett Baublitz
Transportation Director/City of Alma
Annette Weller-Collison
Kahn Consulting, INC.
Colleen Davis
Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Jim Dubey
Garr Tool
Rob DuHadway
DuHadway Dance Dimensions
Tammy Halfmann
Mercantile Bank
David Justin
Alma School Board
John Morey
CPA
Mike Morris
Gratiot County Undersheriff
Alison Morrison
Dept. of Health and Human Services
Jennifer Siefker
Mark Williams
Alma Public Safety Administrator
Kim Vetter
Michigan State Police
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| Car Seat Safety |
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Did you know that at Child Advocacy we can install and provide a safety inspection for your child safety seat? Child Advocacy has a nationally certified safety seat technician available!
To make an appointment call
989-463-1422
or 800-552-4489 Please see new carseat guidelines on our website.
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Permanent Prescription Drug Drop Off
Site
Gratiot Co. Sheriff
226 E. Center
Ithaca
open 24 hrs./day
7 days/week
Alma Police Dept.
525 E. Superior St.
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Friday
Breckenridge Police Dept.
104 E. Saginaw St.
8:00 a.m.- 5:00
p.m.
Monday - Friday
St. Louis Police Dept.
300 N. Mill St.
Mon. 7 - 3
Tues. - Fri. 8 - 4
These sites accept
prescription pills and patches.
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Program Needs
Gas Cards
to help cover the cost for medical travel to Grand Rapids or help with transportation of foster children.
Gift Cards to Walmart and Meijer to purchase the specific needs of a child.
Drawing Paper
Puzzles
New Children's Books
Play-dough
Games for younger children to play
Capri Sun Juice Boxes
Bottled Water
Baby Pantry
Infant Formula
(yellow can)
Gentle Formula
(purple can)
Diapers
Safety items
Wipes
Newborn outfits
C
ommunity donations help the quality of our programs and are greatly appreciated. Donations can be made directly at Child Advocacy or by contacting our office. (989) 463-1422
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September is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month and the National Suicide Prevention Month. Please take a moment to read our program articles on these important topics.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,
Staci Bigelow
Volunteer/Event Coordinator
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Trivia Night
Friday, November 22
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Alma Elks Lodge #1400 - Alma
United Way is matching all of the proceeds
up to $10,000!!
Click the link to register:
or Text
TRIVIA to 40403 and follow the prompts provided.
Contact Staci at (989) 463-1422 for more information on this event.
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September is Infant Safe Sleep Awareness Month
Submitted by: Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director
Every THREE days a Michigan baby dies when sleeping in an unsafe place. By implementing infant safe sleep practices, these deaths are preventable.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises the following tips for safe sleep during every nap and night-time routine:
- Place your baby on their back, in a crib, bassinet or pack-n-play for every sleep time.
- Use a firm mattress with a tightly fitted sheet.
- Keep baby's sleep space clutter free- no pillows, blankets, or toys.
- Avoid covering baby's head or overheating. Instead of a blanket, consider using a sleep sack, wearable blanket, or footed sleeper to keep baby warm.
- Remind everyone who cares for your baby, including babysitters and family members, how to keep baby safe while sleeping.
We are determined to inform parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of infants on safe sleep environments, and debunk the common myths or misunderstandings. We know that the recommendations have changed over the years and understand that it can be confusing. If you are interested in learning more about Child Advocacy's safe sleep initiatives, or would like safe sleep materials for yourself, family members, or your place of work, please let us know. We are here to help, and we can be reached at (989) 463-1422.
Save the date!
We are excited to announce that on Thursday, December 5th, we will be offering "Safe Sleep 201: Helping Families Practice Safe Sleep" during our Lunch and Learn. This training acknowledges the challenges that parents experience in following the infant safe sleep guidelines and the multitude of factors that influence how infants sleep. This is great for healthcare providers, daycare providers, in-home services, and anyone else who works with families with infants. All of our Lunch and Learn events are held on the first Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the Alma Public Library.
Myths and Facts of Infant Safe Sleep:
https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/0,5885,7-339-71548_57836-391916--,00.html
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National Suicide
Prevention Month
Submitted by: Ty Warczinsky
GCSAC Program Director
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. One hundred and twenty nine people die by suicide in this country every single day. In Gratiot County,
twenty-four percent of High School Students reported they seriously considered attempting suicide during the past twelve months, while nine percent reported they actually attempted suicide one or more times during the past twelve months. These numbers are alarming, but are not any different from what we are seeing throughout both the state and country. Please help the Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition by joining or spreading awareness on the events below for the month of September.
9/3/19 5:30-7:00 p.m. FREE QPR Suicide Prevention Training at St. Louis Elks, call 989-463-1422 to register.
9/5/19 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. FREE QPR Suicide Prevention Lunch & Learn at Alma Public Library, call 989-463-1422 to register.
9/5/19 5:30-7:00 p.m. FREE QPR Training at Alma VFW Call 989-463-1422 to register.
9/10/19 World Suicide Prevention Day! Wear Yellow to raise awareness for suicide prevention, send us your pictures to Child Advocacy-Gratiot County Facebook page and we will share them with the community.
9/11/19 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. FREE Youth Mental Health First Aid at Gratiot Integrated Health Network, call 989-463-4971 to register.
9/13/19 11:30 a.m. -3:30 p.m. Responsible Prescribing Seminar: Suicide Prevention & Implementation: Using the Zero Suicide Framework at MidMichigan Medical Center-Gratiot Wilcox Auditorium. Visit www.midmichigan.org/responsible to register.
9/23/19 7:30 p.m. Jeff Yalden Community Night at Alma College Hogan Center, this event is FREE and open to the entire community, no registration required- we hope to see YOU there!
Throughout September there will be Field of Flags throughout Gratiot County- to commemorate those who have died by suicide. Locations include: Alma High School, Ashley High School, Breckenridge High School, Fulton High School, Ithaca High School, St. Louis High School, Wilcox Non Profit Center, Alma College, Gratiot Integrated Health Network, and Mid Michigan Medical Center-Gratiot.
The Coalition also offers free training in Question, Persuade, and Refer; QPR all year long. In about one hour your business, church group, or other community organization can receive specialized training to identify someone who may be suicidal and the specific steps you can take to get help for someone in crisis. If you are interested in hosting a QPR Training, contact the Gratiot County Substance Abuse and Suicide Prevention Coalition at (989) 463-1422. When you apply QPR, you plant the seeds of hope. Hope helps save lives.
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Scheduled Classes
Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Meeting
Monday, September 9th
1:00 p.m.
MidMichigan Medical Center Gratiot - Wilcox Auditorium
Please call Emily at 989-463-1422 with any questions.
Foster/Adoptive/Relative Care Support Group
Who: Non-biological caregivers (foster, adoptive, kinship, etc.) and their children.
Where:
East Superior Christian Church (605 E. Superior St. Alma, MI)
When:
Tuesday, September 10th 6:00-8:00 p.m. (the second Tuesday of every month)
Why: Because parenting is one of the most difficult jobs and having support from others is crucial. Did we mention free childcare and snacks?!
Please call our office t o RS VP at (989)4 63-1422 or email morgan @linkforfamilies.org.
The Baby Pantry
Every Wednesday
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wilcox Non-Profit Building - Alma
For more information about the Baby Pantry please contact Morgan Rooy at (989)463-1422.
1st Thursday of every month
Alma Public Library
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
Child Advocacy will be hosting monthly lunch & learns on a variety of topics. We hope you will join us. Please email Staci at staci@linkforfamilies.org to RSVP or call (989)463-1422.
September
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Happy September!
As you can see we have a month packed full of activities, trainings, and classes. Please plan to join us in September!
Our annual Trivia Night fundraiser is just around the corner and we are excited to announce that United Way will be matching all funds raised up to $10,000! Please join us on Friday, November 22nd for a night full of laughs and trivia.
Stay tuned next month for an update on our new building project. We are working hard to make this dream a reality!
For more information on Trivia Night, the new building, or any of Child Advocacy's programs please contact us at 989-463-1422.
Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
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