PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release on May 12, 2006
Contact: William J. Smith (718) 556-7150
William.Smith@rcda.nyc.gov

D.A. DONOVAN, ASSEMBLYMAN MIRONES JOIN WITH RICHMOND COUNTY SAVINGS FOUNDATION AND TIME WARNER CABLE TO FUND PROGRAM AIMED AT CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ON STATEN ISLAND
Elected Officials and Businesses Donate $39,250 to Expand Program’s Presence in Island Schools

STATEN ISLAND, NY - Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced that his office contributed $15,500 to fund the Child Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP), the non-profit organization dedicated to child abuse prevention for New York City’s children, in Staten Island schools. He was joined by Assemblyman Matthew Mirones, Laureen Henry of the Richmond County Savings Foundation and Karen La Cava of Time Warner Cable of New York & New Jersey, whom also contributed $10,000, $2,500 and $56,250, of which $11,250 has been earmarked for Staten Island, respectively to fund the program. The program was formally kicked off at a presentation of the Child Safety Workshop, which utilized life-size puppets to teach children about physical and sexual abuse, held at Public School 31.

District Attorney Donovan stated, “As prosecutors, one of the toughest crimes we have to deal with is child abuse. So often these children are afraid to come forward or blame themselves for their victimization. I am confident that this program, which I am happy to fund through my office’s Asset Forfeiture efforts, can bring a message to children to come forward and seek help when they have been victimized; as well as train school and law enforcement professionals to respond to these situations.”

Assemblyman Matthew Mirones stated, “As elected officials, we must do everything in our power to keep our most vulnerable population, our children, safe from harm. This is why I am honored to help fund such an important program. CAPP is on the forefront of keeping our children safe and I commend Marion White and her team for their sincere dedication to all children.”

Laureen Henry, Senior Program Officer of the Richmond County Savings Foundation stated, “The Foundation is proud to continue to support the Child Abuse Prevention Program’s efforts that help innocent children who are facing unthinkable situations. We acknowledge Marion White and her staff who share their expertise and focus attention on child abuse as they work to protect each and every child’s basic right to grow up in a safe environment.”

"Time Warner Cable and its customers have been supporting CAPP for over 15 years," said Harriet Novet, Vice President of Public Affairs. "Each year, the overwhelming number of customers who respond to our Children's Campaign reinforces the value of CAPP's role in educating children about their personal safety."

“The Child Abuse Prevention Program is honored to be supported by District Attorney Donovan and Assemblyman Mirones, along with business leaders from Richmond County Savings and Time Warner Cable of New York and New Jersey, who are clearly concerned about how child abuse can effect their community,” said Marion White, Executive Director, Child Abuse Prevention Program. “The money and support we are receiving today will help us to educate more children on Staten Island in the upcoming school year.”

The funding provided to CAPP will support professional training workshops where school guidance counselors and administrators, NYPD Special Victims Unit detectives, ACS caseworkers, assistant district attorneys, healthcare professionals and other community-based professionals are trained on child protection. In addition, an increase in Child Safety Workshops for the children of Staten Island will be conducted for the 2006-2007 school year. These workshops educate children about safe, unsafe and confusing touch; explore the difference between abuse and discipline and teach children to trust their instincts if they feel they are in danger.

The funding will be used to conduct professional training workshops to local school guidance professionals and child safety workshops in Staten Island schools. The Professional Training Program is designed for CAPP's Prevention Specialists to work with school guidance counselors and administrators; NYPD Special Victims Unit detectives; ACS caseworkers; assistant district attorneys; healthcare professionals and other community-based professionals to provide training on child safety. The Child Safety Workshops use CAPP’s Kids On The Block, Inc. puppets to provide children with safety information. The workshops give children the skills they need to recognize, resist and report abuse. They teach children about safe, unsafe and confusing touch. In addition, the children explore the difference between abuse and discipline and learn to trust their instincts if they feel they are in danger.

About the Child Abuse Prevention Program

The Child Abuse Prevention Program (CAPP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children enjoy their basic right to be safe. Founded in 1986, CAPP is the only organization of its kind, and is responsible for educating more than 280,000 children in New York City. At the center of CAPP’s work is the Child Safety Workshop, a program that uses life-size puppets to educate school children to recognize, resist and report instances of abuse and neglect. CAPP works with school guidance counselors and administrators, NYPD Special Victims Unit detectives, ACS caseworkers, assistant district attorneys, healthcare professionals and other community-based professionals to provide training on child protection through their Professional Training Program. For more information about CAPP, visit www.childabusepreventionprogram.org or call 212.344.1902.

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