Across the world, from the Netherlands to New York to Japan, a spike in cases of child abuse is being blamed on financial stresses. In Utah, over 37,218 complaints of child abuse and neglect are made each year. The Utah Department of Human Services reports that last year approximately 20,596 complaints were investigated and 8,163 were found to have some merit. If worldwide trends hold true in Utah, we could see more and more children feeling the effects jobless or stressed-out parents.
“The statewide system of Family Support Centers is the number-one child abuse prevention program in Utah,” said Chris Nelson, Youth Specialty Services supervisor at Southwest Center Behavioral Health and director of the Family Support Center in St. George.
The Family Support Center provides free respite and crisis care for children whose parents have reached the end of their ropes. “It’s a safe place where parents can drop off their children and take a time-out,” explained Nelson. “So often, all that parents need is a few hours to calm down. We take the kids while moms and dads go sit at the park, watch a movie, take a nap, or do whatever they need to do so they can come back and effectively parent.”
The Family Support Center also cares for children while parents attend drug or alcohol treatment sessions or parenting classes. It does not provide ongoing daycare while Mom and Dad work or go to school.
Children ages 0 to 11 are accepted at the Family Support Center, regardless of economic status. The Center can accept up to 12 children at a time during the day (9 am to 9 pm), and also has room for up to six children at night. Nighttime care is reserved for families in crisis—children who are in imminent danger of harm.
The first time a family uses the Center, parents are asked to bring a current copy of each child’s immunizations. They will also need to complete some paperwork. While the Center takes children on a drop-in basis, they will also accept scheduled appointments—a good idea since it at times runs at capacity.
All caregivers at the Family Support Center undergo a background check and complete training hours. Volunteers are welcome. A not-for-profit funded mainly by a grant from the state, the Center welcomes donations of money, toys, and supplies. Specifically, it is currently in need of a diaper changing table, file cabinets that lock, a TV stand, a DVD player, and a fax machine.
The Family Support Center will be hosting an open house on Thursday, March 5 from 1 to 3 in the afternoon at the St. George location at 310 West 200 North. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Chris or Roger Nelson at 773-0585.
