GRATIOT COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY ASSOCIATION

GRATIOT COUNTY SUBSTANCE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM (GCSSP) - CHILD ADVOCACY WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH AREA SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE AN ABOVE THE INFLUENCE CAMPAIGN TO YOUTH IN GRATIOT COUNTY. THE CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED TO BRING AWARENESS OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE INFLUENCES THAT CAN AFFECT THE YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THE CAMPAIGN GIVES STUDENTS TOOLS THEY NEED TO RISE ABOUT NEGATIVE INFLUENCES. GCSSPP ALSO PARTNERS WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CONDUCT COMPLIANCE CHECKS AS A WAY TO ENFORCE STATE LAWS AND/OR LOCAL ORDINANCES RELATED TO SERVING OR SELLING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND TOBACCO PRODUCTS. COMPLIANCE CHECKS CREATE A MECHANISM TO IDENTIFY, WARN AND EDUCATE ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO LICENSEES THAT ARE IN VIOLATION OF SALES AND SERVICE LAWS IN THEIR STATE. THE GCSSPC IS A COLLABORATIVE COUNTYWIDE DECISION-MAKING BODY OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT CONVENES MONTHLY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF SUBSTANCE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION NEEDS FOR GRATIOT COUNTY. GCSSPC ALSO OFFERS PROGRAMS TO HELP TEENS QUIT JUULING AND VAPING, OFFERS QPR TRAININGS TO ORGANIZATIONS FOR FREE, COLLABORATES WITH MIDMICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER-GRATIOT AND MIDMICHIGAN DISTRICT HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO OFFER THE RESPONSIBLE PRESCRIBING SERIES EACH YEAR FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, RUNS THE TIPS PROGRAM WHICH IS AN EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR THE RESPONSIBLE SERVICE, SALE, AND CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL, AND OFFERS VENDOR EDUCATION TO KEEP TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL PRODUCTS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY.

CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PREVENTION - PROGRAMS INCLUDE 24:7 DAD PARENTING PROGRAM TO OFFER SUPPORT AND EDUCATION TO DADS; TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE TO YOUTH-SERVING ORGANIZATIONS TO DEVELOP A CODE OF CONDUCT; HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES; MAKE PARENTING A PLEASURE PROGRAMS FOR PARENTS OR CAREGIVERS LOOKING FOR EXTRA SUPPORT IN AREAS SUCH AS UNDERSTANDING AND HANDLING STRESS, MANAGING ANGER, COMMUNICATION SKILLS, DISCIPLINE, AND HANDLING CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS; MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING SESSIONS; SAFER, SMARTER KIDS WHICH FOLLOWS A DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE SEQUENCE OF INSTRUCTION FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS, HELPING CHILDREN DEVELOP SKILLS TO STAY SAFE AS THEIR WORLD EXPANDS; SAFER, SMARTER TEENS WHICH IS A SERIES OF LESSONS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TAUGHT IN THE SCHOOLS TO TEACH THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, HOW TO CREATE SAFE BOUNDARIES, CONSENT, SEXUAL HARRASSMENT, SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION. AND HOW TO REACH OUT FOR HELP IN UNSAFE SITUATIONS; STEWARDS OF CHILDREN TRAINING THAT TEACHES ADULTS HWO TO PREVENT, RECOGNIZE, AND REACT RESPONSIBLY TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.