PREVENTION

Denver Safe from the Start

Half of the children treated at DCAC are ages 1 through 6 and when Denver Safe from the Start was launched in 2005 it had long been our dream to reach them before they become victims of abuse.  While the primary responsibility for the safety of children in this age group always lies with adults,  even very young children have the capacity to learn and retain basic safety skills. DCAC’s partners in this program are Rocky Mountain SER and Schenk Elementary School serving at-risk children and families with Head Start. Denver Safe from the Start is unique in bringing together teachers, parents and children to work on three levels of prevention. The program begins with the premise that sexual abuse is preventable if those responsible for the care of young children have the necessary knowledge and skills at their disposal.

“Mark, It is people like you, who choose not to turn away-who choose instead to turn and face the problem-that give those of us working on the frontlines the hope and fortitude to continue.” -Gizane Indart

Denver Safe from the Start:

• Improves educators’ knowledge about childhood sexuality, increases their ability to teach young children about sexual abuse, and provides them with access to resources to prevent child abuse
• Improves parents’ confidence in their protective parenting skills, helps them talk with their children about sexual abuse, and provides them with access to prevention resources
• Teaches young children basic self-protective skills

Program data is analyzed by Dr. Anne DePrince, University of Denver, who created the evaluation process.  Three years of DCAC’s evaluation data show statistical gains in the participants’ knowledge of sexual abuse prevention. Although the curriculum is designed with child safety in mind, the data also indicates that the program has a positive effect on family dynamics.

DCAC staff and board members involved in the 2008-2009 Denver Safe from the Start Program include:
Mark Hellerstein,Gizane Indart,Angela Davidson and Raquel Hernandez 

Contact Person: Angela Davidson- Angela.Davidson@denvercac.org

Internet Safety

In 2008, DCAC launched an initiative with the Internet Safety Foundation to provide education to children and adolescents on how to be safe online.

The mission of the Internet Safety Foundation is to raise public awareness about the issue of online safety for children and to serve as a clearinghouse for resources, software and information that can be used by law enforcement, educators, counselors and parents and children in Colorado and around the country to increase the safe use of the Internet.

To read more about the Internet Safety Foundation please visit their Web site at:  http://internetsafetycolorado.org/

Go to www.cybertipline.org (to open in a new tab) if you suspect that someone you know might be involved in internet exploitation.

Other Internet Safety Resources are:

isafe.org
webwisekids.org
ikeepsafe.org
netfamilynews.org
NetSmartz 411

Contact Person: Angela Davidson- Angela.Davidson@denvercac.org

Access to Health

Denver Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) would like to thank The Colorado Trust for their generous three-year Access to Health. Expanding Outreach and Enrollment for Children & Youth Grant effective January 2009!

Using innovative, community-based, multi-ethnic outreach strategies, DCAC is proud to be one of 18 grantees working to identify and enroll eligible, but uninsured, children and youth in Medicaid and CHP+. This grant now allows DCAC to provide even more no-cost services for lower income and at-risk children through the Access to Health Program, furthering our integrated care management approach to children’s physical, mental and emotional well-being.

The new Access to Health Program assists clients, siblings, and families of DCAC clients as well as other eligible children and families in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas and Jefferson counties.

By seeking application assistance through DCAC, families and children are able to by-pass long waiting lines and lengthy wait times for enrollment at other county offices. Families are provided bilingual case management that includes accessing affordable, family-friendly health insurance from providers such as Denver Health, Kaiser Permanente, Colorado Access, Rocky Mountain Health Plans, and the State Managed Care Network.

Some important information to know about Medicaid and CHP+

Family Medicaid and CHP+ are public health insurance programs for families, children and pregnant women.

Family Medicaid is FREE for:

• Financially qualified children ages 0-18 and parents with dependent children
• Parents whose income is at or below 60% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Children age 6-18 whose family income is at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level
• Children under the age of 6 and pregnant women whose family income is at or below 133% of the Federal Poverty Level

CHP+ is Colorado’s low or no co-pay, 25$ or 35$ enrollment fee health insurance coverage for low-middle income children (18 years of age and younger) and pregnant women (19 years of age and older).

Whole families can apply for coverage.  If parents are not eligible, they can apply to have only their children covered; in this case they need only submit documents verifying their children’s citizenship.

Parents—Your children and family may very well qualify for more than you might think!

Contact Person: Raquel Hernandez- Raquel.Hernandez@denvercac.org

How You Can Help

Give Financially

DCAC relies on grants and donations in order to provide no-cost assessment and treatment services to children in need. We need your help. Make your donation today.

Give Your Stuff

Be Green! Donate gently used or new items to our Advocacy Center Foundation.  Click here to view the locations of our drop boxes by city.

Give Your Time

Volunteers are crucial to the Center's ongoing growth and success in providing assistance to at risk children and families. View our current volunteering opportunities.