A new report from Iowa's Department of Human Services says child abuse investigations were down two percent in 2008 from the year before. DHS credits its child abuse prevention efforts and community partnerships with the decrease, and a mother in Orange City, IA is a perfect example of what those community partnerships can do.

"January 28th of 2004 my children were removed from my care and custody because of my meth and marijuana addiction," said Tina Stofferan. After months of work to break her addiction she got her kids back in November of 2004. Since then she's dedicated herself to teaching parents new skills to prevent abuse and neglect. She's been an AmeriCorps member for almost two years now.

According to DHS 80 percent of the 23,000 child abuse assessments it performed last year were neglect related to drug abuse.

But still, numbers are down. "The planning that we've been doing for the past 5, 6 years is now really beginning to show the fruit of the efforts that were put into it," said Nola Aalberts, Community Partnership for Protecting Children Coordinator in Sioux County, IA. Aalberts was also very happy to learn four counties she works with have some of the lowest child abuse numbers in the state. "We have developed a variety of programs that work on the protective factors for children," she explained.

As part of some of those programs, Stofferan mentors parents who are working to get kids back after DHS removes them. She also coordinates a community parent support group. "Everyone needs support at one time or another in their lives, so what we try to do is build those intentional friendships to bridge that gap."    

And in honor of her years of dedicated service, Governor Chet Culver is recognizing Stofferan with a "Governor's Volunteer Award." Stofferan just found out about the award this week. "It feels awesome," she said, with a smile.

To learn about resources available to prevent child abuse, follow this link.

 

Reported by Jeremy Maskel. You can reach Jeremy at jmaskel@kmeg.com.