The Community Foundation of the Lowcountry has awarded the Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) $80,000.00 to launch its new Trauma Focused Home Visitation Program. The program aims to shift the conventional mindset of healing a child to healing and empowering a family.

[caption id="attachment_22100" align="alignright" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/COVER-GRANT-FOR-CHILD-ABUSE.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-22100" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/COVER-GRANT-FOR-CHILD-ABUSE-300x225.jpg" alt="Christina Wilson, Executive Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Association (L) accepting  $80k grant from Dr. Cindy Smith, Vice President for Grantmaking with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry." width="300" height="225" /></a> Christina Wilson, Executive Director of the Child Abuse Prevention Association (L) accepting $80k grant from Dr. Cindy Smith, Vice President for Grantmaking with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry.[/caption]

Through a joint venture with the CDC and the Kaiser Permanente Foundation, researchers have discovered that adverse childhood experiences, or ACES, deeply impact the physical and mental health of adults. Without a strong support system to build resiliency, these adults often lack the capacity, knowledge and skills to parent. In an effort to stabilize families and stop the destructive cycle of abuse and neglect, CAPA is bringing the first National Exchange Club Parent Aide Program to South Carolina. The Parent Aide model is a trauma focused, family strengthening, multi-generational, best practice research proven program that provides supportive and in-home services. This is a voluntary home visitation program with family aides working with at risk families once a week for up to a year. CAPA is thrilled to bring this innovative program to the Lowcountry and dedicated to making a safe and healthy community for our children.