The Child Protection Center (CPC) was selected by the Matthews Children’s Foundation to receive a grant in support of CPC’s Personal Safety and Community Awareness (PSCA) program. The funds will provide new equipment to be used in presentations on child abuse prevention and personal safety. Established in 1992, PSCA is the longest tenured prevention program in the state of Florida as well as Sarasota County’s sole provider of this type of holistic and comprehensive child abuse prevention education. PSCA has served over 800,000 individuals in its 30-plus year history. The ultimate goal of the PSCA program is the elimination of child abuse in the community through educational programs for children, parents, and community members. Additionally, the expert professionals leading this program create an environment conducive to many children’s first disclosure of their abuse experience, functioning as a crucial entry point for a child victim to the system of crisis intervention and treatment services. This support from the Matthews Children’s Foundation will help the Child Protection Center more efficiently communicate these safety and prevention messages and protect children that are susceptible to abuse. “There is an immediate need to provide education to the community to protect vulnerable children,” explained Douglas Staley, the Executive Director of CPC. “Educating teachers, children, and the community must be prioritized to the level of providing food and shelter.” The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention, & Treatment of Child Abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida, and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC or to book a personal safety workshop, visit www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.