March 2022
Greetings!

March is Parenting Awareness Month!

Child Advocacy has a resource library filled with a variety of parenting related materials available FREE of charge! We have a request form on our website https://childadvocacy.net/services/ or please give us a call with any questions or to request materials.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter,
Staci Bigelow
Volunteer/Event Coordinator 
Check out our website www.childadvocacy.net.
Child Advocacy Virtual Lunch & Learn
Thursday, March 3, 2022
11:30 am - 1:00 p.m.

Please see the detailed flyer below for event information and registration details.

Caregiver Support Group Virtual Meeting
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
6:00 p.m.

Please email Morgan at morgan@childadvocacy.net for more information or for the presentation link.

Gratiot County Substance Abuse Coalition Virtual Meeting
Monday, March 14, 2022
1:00 p.m.

Please email Emily at
emily@childadvocacy.net for the presentation link.

Understanding the Neurobiology of Trauma to Interrupt the Cycle of Trauma and Addiction
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
12:00 - 1:00 pm

Please see the detailed flyer below for event information and registration details.

Virtual CASA Information Session
Tuesday, March 24, 2022
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Please see the detailed flyer below for event information and registration details.
For more information on upcoming events and trainings please see detailed flyers below or visit our website at www.ChildAdvocacy.net

About Us 


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 
audra@childadvocacy.net
 
Pam Mahin
Office Manager
pam@childadvocacy.net

Staci Bigelow
Event/Volunteer Coordinator
staci@childadvocacy.net

Ty Warczinsky 
GCSAC Program Director
ty@childadvocacy.net
 
Emily Rayburn
GCSAC Coordinator
emily@childadvocacy.net

Sara Krebs 
GCSAC Prevention
Coordinator 
sara@childadvocacy.net

Tristan Villalobos
GCSAC Prevention Educator
tristan@childadvocacy.net
 
Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director
morgan@childadvocacy.net
 
Richelle Davis 
CAN Prevention Educator
richelle@childadvocacy.net
 
Michelle Zombeck 
CASA Program Director 
michelle@childadvocacy.net
 
Rachel Molands
CASA Recruitment Coordinator
rachel@childadvocacy.net
 
Heather Therrien 
CAC Program Director
heather@childadvocacy.net

Jennifer Stambaugh
CAC Victim Advocate
jennifer@childadvocacy.net
 
Nicole Showers
CAC Case Manager
nicole@childadvocacy.net

Michelle Bartnik
Gratiot Integrated Health Network Therapist
Parenting Awareness Month

In honor of Parenting Awareness Month, we encourage you to read through the document below that aligns with your child’s age. These documents provide information on developmental milestones (which aren’t just for babies and young children!), positive parenting tips, safety items and conversations to consider, and ways to stay healthy.






·        Middle Childhood (9-11 Years)



Additional Positive Parenting Tips can be found by visiting: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting/index.html Child Advocacy also has a free Lending Library full of parenting books and handouts on a variety of topics. Let us know how we can help! 



Morgan Rooy
CAN Program Director
Child Advocacy's CAN Committee

Child Advocacy's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Program has an advisory committee that focuses on bringing community awareness to the prevention of physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect of children living in Gratiot County.

The CAN Committee is responsible for reviewing Gratiot County child abuse and neglect statistics, identifying community needs, and developing plans of action and awareness. Meetings are held bi-monthly from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Anyone who is interested in joining is welcome to contact us for more information by emailing Morgan Rooy - Morgan@childadvocacy.net or calling (989)463-1422.
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Greetings,
March is Parenting Awareness Month! The hardest job I have ever had is the one where they call me Mom. At Child Advocacy we understand how hard it is to be a parent, and we are here to help you anytime you are in need. From parenting classes, to the Baby Pantry, support groups, and resources of every kind we are a one stop shop of all things parenting. Not only can we assist you, but we promise that this a judgement free zone. We are here to help you just give us a call or check out our website at www.childadvocacy.net.


Sincerely,
Audra Stahl
President & CEO
An Opportunity to Increase Child Abuse Prevention Funding in Gratiot County
In 2020, over twenty-four thousand children in Michigan were abused and/or neglected. Child Advocacy and the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund are teaming up in the effort change this sobering statistic. Together we create Hope for Michigan’s Children and ensure that they grow up to reach their full potential.
 
While completing your 2021 Michigan Income Taxes, when you reach Line 22 of the MI-1040, please utilize the Michigan Charitable Contribution Form 4642 to contribute ANY portion of your return to the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund. Your contribution will aid in building strong and resilient children and families to protect against ALL forms of child maltreatment across the State of Michigan and in our local community.
 
For more information about the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund (CTF), or how you can contribute, please visit www.michigan.gov/ctf. 

Did you know that you can get up to $6,600 if you have children and worked last year? See the flyer below to see if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit!
 
Before filing your taxes, be sure to check to see if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit.
 
Check out this information to see if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit! 
Child Advocacy Flyers