SAVE merges with Center for Family Strengthening
Sexual Assault Victim Education agency merges to expand “Kidz Toolbox for Personal Safety” to preschoolers
– Sexual Assault Victim Education (SAVE), a non-profit agency, has merged with The Center for Family Strengthening (CFS) to better serve the community in the education of children about personal safety. SAVE instructs pre-school teachers throughout San Luis Obispo County on how to teach preschoolers about unsafe touching. The Center for Family Strengthening through its Kidz Toolbox for Personal Safety Program, teaches over 4,500 kindergarteners through second graders each year.
Lisa Fraser, Executive Director for Center for Family Strengthening and Heather Muran, Ynana Zovich, Sharon Baldridge, Beverly Thompson, Jean Harper, and Carolyn Anderson of the S.A.V.E. agency. Courtesy photo.
“With SAVE’s additional resources, we will substantially expand our proven program to reach more preschoolers throughout the county and better serve our community in the prevention of child abuse,” said Executive Director of Center for Family Strengthening Lisa Fraser. “Teaching a child to protect themselves against sexual abuse is a critical step in the prevention of abuse. Sexual abuse can so negatively affect a young child, resulting in underdeveloped social and emotional skills and lead to a greater likelihood of the child experiencing major problems later in life.“
SAVE, a non-profit agency founded by Bobbi Loomis, has been working with preschool educators throughout the county since 1985 and has delivered instructional kits to over 65 schools each year at no charge to the schools. Rhonda Olive, SAVE’s instructor, works with the schools’ directors to help integrate the training into the class curriculum. “The response to the training has been very, very positive. School directors see a major need to teach the information and are thankful they have access to SAVE kits for their schools,” said Rhonda Olive.
This is a “win-win” for both agencies, said Beverly Thompson, “CFS has the most advanced, proven curriculum and SAVE has access to pre-school educators and the financial wherewithal to deliver these effective tools to the schools.” Current SAVE Board Members Beverly Thompson and Sharon Baldridge will join the Center for Family Strengthening Board in August.
Center for Family Strengthening is a SLO-based non-profit agency dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by building stronger families and supporting them with a myriad of programs. Through its Kidz Toolbox for Personal Safety, CFS teaches child protective and safety skills. Working with the community, CFS prevents child abuse by offering programs that make systemic changes in lives of families. A community that cares about early childhood development, parental support, and maternal mental health will foster nurturing families and healthy children. For more information about the education or content of Kidz Toolbox for Personal Safety contact CFS directly at (805) 543-6216.
Comments
