HomeMy WebLinkAboutCelebrate the ChildCelebrate the Child
Candlelight Procession
Friday, December 7th, 2012
Beginning at 5:30 p.m. at
The Children's Park ~ Chico
(corner of West 1St St & Esplanade)
Music will be provided by
Inspire School of 1~rts c`~ Sciences Choir
Join the candlelight procession to
raise awareness of child abuse and
neglect plus make a kindness pledge.
The procession will end at the
Downtown Chico City Plaza Tree
Lighting Ceremony.
For more information:Call Margie Ruegger, 530-519-4248
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The Frank Wafters and Mary Anne Houx Children's Fund ~ Fact Sheet, 20'12
The Frank Wafters Trust Fund was established in 1994 to provide supplemental funding of services to
meet the need of abused and neglected children in Butte County. In 2006, the fund was renamed The
Frank Wafters and Mary Anne Houx Children's Fund. In partnership with the Butte County Tax
Collector's Office, this fund allows Butte county citizens to make tax-deductible donations when they
pay their property taxes.
•3 Butte County reports of child abuse and neglect have averaged approximately 3,810 for the
past ten years. The annual number of referrals has ranged from a high of 5,137 in 2002 to a
low of 3,457 in 2011. On average, 17% of the referrals received resulted in substantiation
following an investigation for abuse andlor neglect.
• Approximately 37% of the children in substantiated referrals were placed in out of home
placement, including relative care, foster care and group home placements. As of July 1,
2012, 549 children were in out of home care. This number has steadily decreased since a
high of 742 in 2005. This number includes youth on Probation which accounts for
approximately 4% of all children in placement.
• In the twelve month period from October 1, 2011 through September 3q 2012, 330 children
found permanency through either being reunified with their families, adoption, or placement
in guardianship.
Since the inception of the Fund, citizens of Butte County have raised $595,740 for the Frank Wafters
and Mary Anne Houx Children's Fund (from more than 17,126 separate contributions), which has been
used to provide services to children and families in Butte County. During the period from July 1, 2011 to
June 30, 2012, $30,871.53 was received from 690 donors, which was a slight increase in donations,
but from fewer donors than in past years.
Some of the services that have been provided utilizing these funds include:
• Feather River Tribal Health-Child Life Enhancement Parenting classes -This
community program teaches parenting skills to parents of children between the ages of 0-17
in Oroville, and targets parents who have had domestic violence in their homes or have
been involved with Child Welfare for abuse and neglect.
• Valley Oak Children's Services -Second Step was implemented in 8 childcare settings.
Second Step is a research based program which teaches children skills on developing
empathy, emotion control and problem solving.
• Center for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders -Provides diagnostic support for children
suspected of exposure to alcohol in uteruo. Families receive individualized educational
information and a "Teacher Manual" to each family to be shared with the child's teacher.
• Catalyst Domestic Violence Services -Funds were used to purchase playground
equipment for children in the long term care area of their shelter complex.
Updated 11!20112