As nonprofit closes its doors, Think Kids shows its support for organizations advocating for kids in the Mountain State
CHARLESTON, West Virginia—Think Kids is donating $10,000 to the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN), a statewide leader in the fight against child abuse. The organization supports 21 child advocacy centers to ensure that West Virginia’s children have access to high-quality, evidence-based treatment services that put their well-being at the heart of abuse investigations.
A child advocacy center (CAC) provides a single, safe, child-friendly facility where child protection, criminal justice, and child treatment professionals work together to investigate abuse, hold offenders accountable, and provide support services. Once a referral is made through Child Protective Services and/or law enforcement, the CAC warmly welcomes the child and family to begin their path to healing.
WVCAN promotes community awareness and advocates for this trusted model that places the child’s well-being at the heart of abuse investigations. They also provide training and technical assistance to CACs, help them evaluate and assess their services to children and families, and acquire funding to ensure our CACs are well-equipped to help children heal.
And importantly to Think Kids, WVCAN releases an annual statewide data report that reflects the services provided by the CACs in 47 of 55 counties around the state. During fiscal year 2023, West Virginia CACs served 4,879 children, a nearly 10% increase in new children served in the last five years, according to the press release.
To Kelli Caseman, Think Kids’ Executive Director, WVCAN’s work to compile and release this data, along with the public awareness they raise and professional development they provide, makes them a vital resource serving kids in the Mountain State:
“It’s a hard time to be a kid in West Virginia. Over the past 10 years, we’ve seen an increase in child maltreatment cases in communities across the state. But we’ve also seen great community resource providers, like CACs, rise to the occasion and expand their reach. What WVCAN does that’s so important is that they make community data understandable and accessible and that the CACs can use this data to show their community the impact of their work. So we’re happy to donate to them and help them do what to do.”
For WVCAN’s CEO, Kate Flack, the donation from a fellow nonprofit is a unique recognition of their achievements over the years, “We are grateful to Think Kids for their work over the last four years, and now for this generous donation. We are honored they recognize the important work child advocacy centers provide children and families affected by abuse.”
Since 2020, Think Kids has served West Virginia as a statewide data-driven, community-led advocacy organization, based in Charleston. But now, as its founder and executive director relocates out of state, the organization is donating its remaining resources to organizations that provide effective programs and services to help keep West Virginia’s kids safe, healthy, and aspiring to do great things.
For more information about Think Kids, please contact Kelli Caseman at 304.444.5917 or kelli@thinkkidswv.org. For more information about WVCAN contact Kate Flack at 304-414-4455 x 4 or email info@wvcan.org.
###
About Think Kids
Think Kids is a statewide nonprofit organization that advocates for the health and well-being of West Virginia’s kids. We use data-driven advocacy to ensure that generations of children grow up safe, healthy, and aspire to do great things. A better West Virginia begins with its kids. Visit our website, our publication site, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
About WVCAN
The West Virginia Child Advocacy Network is the statewide leader in the fight against child abuse. Through 21 child advocacy centers, it provides support to passionate professionals to ensure that West Virginia’s children have access to high-quality, evidence-based treatment services that put their well-being at the heart of abuse investigations. Visit its website and follow it on Facebook and Instagram.
0 Comments