AmeriCorps
AmeriCorps/CAPC Corps Programs Overview
In
1993 the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento (CAPC) began a cost-effective
child abuse prevention program implementing home visitation and family resource
center strategies utilizing AmeriCorps members in Sacramento County. The program,
now known as CAPC Corps, was developed to provide long-term effects on children
within the program by addressing risk factors related to abuse and neglect.
CAPC Corps members, recruited from communities with the highest rates of child
abuse and neglect, were provided training and support, and the opportunity
to perform family support service in their community. The program started with
only 20 CAPC Corps members serving in four locations.
Today, the CAPC Corps program continues to enroll AmeriCorps members from within
the communities where they serve to provide on-site, direct assistance to children
and families with the goal of reducing the risk factors related to child abuse
and neglect. Family stress due to isolation, poverty, inadequate parenting skills,
and domestic violence are recognized as some of the underlying causes of child
abuse and neglect. These causal factors are addressed through strategies such
as: home visitation, family resource centers, academic enrichment, foster youth
mentoring, and breastfeeding support.
During the 2007-2008 program year, one hundred sixty-six Sacramento County residents
responded to the call of community service. These CAPC Corps members focused
on “Getting Things Done” in neighborhoods throughout the county while serving
at one of many community locations.
The CAPC Corps program supports the personal and professional development
of AmeriCorps members. CAPC Corps members are given the opportunity to develop
skills and gain valuable experience critical to future success. Members
receive extensive training related to their service assignments. Through
these trainings, members gain skills in active citizenship, conflict resolution,
cultural awareness, child safety, mandated child abuse reporting, life after
AmeriCorps, member development, and professional boundaries and confidentiality. Program
specific training may include Home Visitation Basics, Family Resource Center
Fundamentals, Healthy Families America, Domestic Violence, Ansell Casey Life
Skills Assessment, Breastfeeding Peer Counseling, and Effective Parenting trainings
in “Make Parenting a Pleasure”, Dare To Be You” and Strengthening Multi-Ethic
Families and Communities”. The goal of the AmeriCorps trainings is for
members to increase knowledge and skills and to gain insight into their
community and the power of national service. This guiding and motivating philosophy
makes a difference in the lives of CAPC Corps members as well as the families
and children they serve.
Partnering CAPC Corps Organizations/Service Site Agencies
- Center Unified School District
- Community Resource Project’s Women Infant and Children (WIC) Program
- Elk Grove Unified School District
- Folsom Cordova Community Partnership
- La Familia Counseling Center
- Linkage to Education
- Mutual Assistance Network
- NCADD-Options for Recovery
- River Delta Unified School District
- River Oak Center for Children
- Sacramento Children’s Home
- Sacramento City Unified School District
- Sacramento County CPS
- Sacramento County Department of Health & Human Services
- Sacramento County Office of Education
- Sacramento County’s Women Infant and Children (WIC) Program
- St. Patrick’s Home for Children
- The Effort
- Twin Rivers Unified School District
 AmeriCorps
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