CAPS has Big Impact

One of the local organizations we support is CAPS, now also known as Child, Adolescent, and Parent Support. Church member Brenda Severson is a CAPS board member. She would like to share this information about CAPS:

One of the agencies that the Mission Committee supports is CAPS Some of you may have heard of CAPS being referred to as Child Abuse Prevention Services. In 2023 we changed our name to Child, Adolescent, and Parent Support. So, what is CAPS? We are a non-profit organization whose mission is to empower families and youth with knowledge, support and resources so they can thrive in a nurturing, healthy and safe environment.

Donations and grants support CAPS in the following programs and services:

● Building Healthy Families: ○ Parents as Teachers: early childhood home visitation program that provides parent education, family support and serves as a link to other community agencies. (Marshall County).

● Refugee Community Services: provides refugee families with support and connection to local resources (Marshall County)

● TheNest: incentive-based program that provides access to needed baby items. (Marshall County)

● Crisis Intervention Program: provides an integrated response for prevention of out-of home placements and formal system involvement. (Marshall County)

● Carefor Kids: health-based sexual abuse prevention program for children preschool through 4th grade. (Marshall County)

● Adolescent Sexual Health Education: abstinence-based adolescent pregnancy prevention program for 5th-12th graders. (Marshall, Hardin, and Tama Counties)

● Information and Referral Services: providing linkages to other community-based services.

● CarSeatSafety: providing car seat safety events along with an emergency supply of car seats for families (Marshall and Hardin Counties)

During the 2023-2024 fiscal year 3200 home visits were provided to 225 families with 285 children; 50 families with 130 children were supported during a crisis; 1140 school presentations were provided to 7415 students and 165 families purchased 1875 needed baby items through the NEST which totaled approximately $15,550!

How can you help? Of course monetary donations are always welcome. Diapers, Baby Wipes, cleaning supplies, and personal care items are always appreciated. Also, we have many clients that have transportation needs so anyone willing to help transport families to appointments either in town or out of town would be great.

CAPS participates in many fundraising events in the community and we are entering the season for our Healthy Homes for the Holidays campaign. Donations from this event help children and families enrolled in programs at CAPS. Some other fundraising events to look for in the future are Culvers Share Night, Dave’s Cakes and a Family Fun Run on 5/3/25.

If you would like more information about CAPS, or how to access their services, you can click here for their website. If want to see how their work is influencing lives, you can see their Impact Report here.