About the Calhoun Abuse/Neglect Prevention Council

The Calhoun Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Council, also known as “The CAN Council,” is a small organization with a very big cause: to address the issue of child abuse and neglect in Calhoun County and to promote positive parenting. The organization exists to provide information, education, and resources to parents and families, communities and neighborhoods, and other organizations who work with children and families.

The CAN Council was formed in 1977 when eight people from Calhoun County attended a workshop in Lansing focusing on the value of community-based councils in preventing child abuse and neglect. After the workshop, these eight people committed themselves to the development of a child abuse and neglect task force in Calhoun County. Eighteen months later, the organization was incorporated. In 1982, the CAN Council became the designated local council for the Children’s Trust Fund.

In the years since, the organization has remained committed to prevention efforts through a speakers bureau focusing on sexual abuse, shaken baby syndrome and more recently on internet crimes against children. The Council also identifies other organizations whose main purpose is to provide services to families in crisis, and provides grants to these organizations. Some of our grantees have included Sexual Assault Services, the Sheriff’s Department, Battle Creek Counseling Associates and many others. Once the Council identifies the issues in the area through a community needs assessment, funding priorities are set and we fund those organizations who meet the needs in the community.

In the mid 1990s, the CAN Council began doing Car Seat Safety Checks in partnership with the Michigan State Police. Needy families are encouraged to attend through their caseworkers. The Council buys car seats in quantity, and if a family has an inadequate car seat for their child, they will be given a new car seat. We are looking at expanding this program and making it available to more needy families.

Our Purpose

Is to advocate action to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Why You Should Care About Child Abuse & Neglect

• Four children die everyday as a result of child abuse and three out of four of these victims are under the age of four.
• A report of child abuse in made every 10 seconds
• 14.4% of al men in prison in the United States were abused as children and 36.7% of all women in prison were abused as children.
• Children who experience child abuse & neglect are 59% more likely to be arrested as a juvenile, 28% more likely to be arrested as an adult, and 30% more likely to commit violent crime.
• Child abuse occurs at every socio-economic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education.

What We Do

• Provide or distribute prevention information throughout Calhoun County
• Sponsor education programs for service providers
• Provide a speakers bureau to any interested audience
• Network with other community groups and agencies to promote child abuse prevention.
• Award funding through mini grants to worthy organizations who seek to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Our Funding

The largest portion of our income comes from the community.  These contributions come to us through memberships, donation, pledges to the B93 Roofsit for Kids, and participation in our annual Dinner Auction in April, and any other fundraising drive we may have.

A portion of our budget come from the Michigan Children's Trust fund or the (CTF).  The CTF established by the legislature in 1982, is the only independent, statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Michigan.