Child Protection Center Expands to Meet Increased Need for Child Abuse Services

December 15, 2021 – Sarasota

Concurrent issues of a pandemic, which is bringing increased mental health challenges, and the shortage of trained counseling professionals is putting rising strain on the systems designed to help victims of child abuse. 

In response, the Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is expanding staff as well as the organization’s operations in order to meet the increased need as the waitlist of verified victims of child abuse has grown to more than 70. A $175,000 grant from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation will assist the organization to bring on more staff to lower wait times.

The Child Protection Center’s mission is the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse, which is carried out through four core programs: Personal Safety and Community Awareness Program (PSCA), Child Protection Team (CPT), Children and Families Supervised Visitation Program (CFSVP), and Therapy Programs (consisting of the Sexual Abuse Treatment Program and the Kid Kindness Program). Each of these programs require highly trained and specialized staff, in addition to a thorough and effective administrative team. 

“Our employees are our greatest resource,” said Doug Staley, the Executive Director of the nonprofit. “Helping families move from victim to survivor to thriver begins with the right staff. This funding is crucial for CPC in order to ‘think outside the box’ in attracting and retaining employees. Barancik Foundation understands this need and we are grateful for their partnership and what it means in protecting children.”

Last year alone, CPC’s therapists provided 3,458 hours of therapy and the Child Protection Team conducted 298 medical examinations to assess signs of abuse and neglect.

“We could not think of a more immediate need than lowering these waiting lists,” says Teri A Hansen, President|CEO of Barancik Foundation. “Every second counts when it comes to healing the trauma that these children have experienced, and we hope others will join in on our support.”

The Child Protection Center envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida, and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC, visit www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.