Marion County Child Watch Visitation Invitation

On behalf of the Child Watch Initiative, I would like to invite you to participate in Marion County’s eleventh annual Child Watch Visitation Day, sponsored by a number of collaborating community agencies. This visitation program is a unique opportunity to visit programs and facilities addressing the needs of abused and neglected children.This special event will take place Thursday April 10, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. We feel this tour will be valuable in providing the most current insights into crises facing today’s children and to see some of the actual locations in which these children receive services.

In 2007 in Marion County alone:

• 855 child abuse and neglect referrals were made
• 692 reports of child abuse and neglect were investigated
• 64 children of these investigations were found to be in imminent danger
• 167 children were involved in abuse and neglect cases on the court docket
• 72 families with substantiated abuse and neglect cases that did not meet the definition of imminent danger and the children remain in the home with supportive services.

As business and community leaders, you are increasingly being called on to respond to these problems. Child Watch Visitation Day offers you the opportunity to view the children’s “system” through the children’s eyes as they unwittingly become involved. The Visitation Program involves no monetary solicitation for the collaborative planning agencies or any programs involved. Our goals are to heighten awareness of effective strategies for addressing concerns regarding abused and neglected children and to mobilize community volunteers into directing their energies toward these issues.

Our Child Watch Visitation Day will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. in the Social Hall of the First Presbyterian Church, 301 Jackson Street in Fairmont; ample parking is available beside the church on Jackson Street (parking lot within the stone walls). Lunch and transportation to all visitation sites will be provided; we will return to the Presbyterian Church to conclude the day’s program.

There is no cost to participate in the Child Watch Visitation Day; we only ask that you set aside this one day to learn more about the issues of child abuse and neglect as they affect local children. Please pre-register by March 31 by calling, writing, faxing, or sending us an e-mail using the below-listed numbers and addresses. We will confirm your registration with a return phone call. Should this date not fit into your schedule, please share this invitation with a colleague or family member. We are limiting the group size to simplify the logistics of touring multiple sites, so please pre-register early. We truly hope to see you on April 10!

Michelle Nesselrotte
Marion County Family Resource Network
112 Adams Street, Room 204
Fairmont, WV 26554
phone: (304)366-4445 fax: (304)366-4695 marioncountyfrn@yahoo.com