BOISE, Idaho - Strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect takes deliberate actions - through training and assistance. That's the tenet from the Idaho Children's Trust Fund (ICTF) as it issues grants this week to five programs around the state.
ICTF executive director Roger Sherman said while the goals are the same, the programs are diverse - including home visits and parenting classes, along with programs for female inmates and refugee families.
"It's going to take a whole lot of different methods and ways to be able to prevent child abuse and neglect, and it has different forms," Sherman said.
Programs receiving funding were ICARE through St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities of Idaho, Idaho Department of Correction, the Bannock Youth Foundation and Baby Haven at the Salvation Army in Caldwell.
Sherman said child abuse and neglect, and child sexual abuse, bring lifelong consequences for children, so prevention is serious business.
"All of it is about getting to a place where all kids grow up in a thriving environment without abuse. That's really what we're looking at," Sherman added."
The grants are for three years. Sherman said that duration recognizes that making a difference takes a sustained effort.
Details on grants and grantees are available at http://idahochildrenstrustfund.org.
