No Images? Click here Baltimore Child Abuse CenterJANUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER: NEW YEAR, NEW BCACNew Year, New BCACDear Friends, By now I hope you have already heard the big news about BCAC’s next exciting chapter in our thirty-year history to further our vision to be a national leader in preventing and responding to child sexual abuse, trauma, and other Adverse Childhood Experiences. Effective January 1, 2019, BCAC became a subsidiary of LifeBridge Health. We are thrilled to be expanding our successful strategic partnership with one of Baltimore’s preeminent healthcare communities. Don’t worry, the BCAC team will continue to operate with the same outstanding team of staff members at the same building on North Charles Street. Perhaps you have seen this story in the news in the past few weeks and are wondering what this partnership means? This new alliance with LifeBridge Health will enable BCAC to expand its investment in the community and create a greater impact on child protection. This creates sustainability for BCAC programs while empowering us to explore how our nationally accredited program can maximize your investment. We will tap into LifeBridge’s resources and public health commitment, while providing expertise and professional staff to meet the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and needs of child victims of trauma and violence in and around Greater Baltimore. BCAC remains a 501(c)3 not for profit entity, and we look forward to continuing to grow these and other critical services under the LifeBridge umbrella, with your continued partnership. We still need you – our volunteers, donors, and key partners – to continue to help BCAC meet the needs of our community. If you have any questions at all regarding this or any other BCAC news, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Here’s to a successful, productive and positive 2019 and beyond! Adam Rosenberg, Executive Director Human Trafficking Awareness MonthBCAC's Anti-Trafficking and Exploitation Program provides a comprehensive response, from prevention to aftercare, for individuals who have been trafficked, used in child sexual abuse images, and victimized through internet crimes. BCAC piloted the region's first Child Trafficking Multidisciplinary Team Review process. In collaboration with multiple agencies and community stakeholders, we have responded to 39 cases of reported child trafficking. In addition, in the past year we have conducted 24 trainings and provided program development consultations to 5 nationally accredited Child Advocacy Centers. If you suspect that a child has been sexually abused through child trafficking, report it to your local Child Protective Services or law enforcement immediately. Are You Ready to Be A Hero?Tickets for our annual Be A Hero gala will be going on sale February 1! Watch your inbox for updates! Interested in Volunteering at BCAC?Meet Nicole Reed, our new Volunteer Coordinator! Every day, volunteers make a difference in the lives of children and families at BCAC. This support is invaluable and increases our capacity to serve those in need. Whether you are interested in child care, administrative help, events assistance, or legislative advocacy, contact Nicole at nreed@bcaci.org or 443-872-2114 to find out more. You can also see a list of opportunities and find our volunteer application on our website. Donations NeededWelcome to the future space of BCAC's Teen Zone! The Teen Zone will be a therapeutic, fun, and age appropriate space in our family room for our teenage population. But right now it is looking very empty, so we are collecting items to make it awesome. They can be donated directly via our "Teen Zone" Amazon Wish List (THANK YOU to those who have already donated items!) or see the list below. Call Nicole at 443-872-2114 for more details, questions, or to coordinate the drop off of donations. Thank you!! TEEN ZONE WISH LIST
2019 Legislative PrioritiesBy Joyce LombardiThe 2019 legislative session in Annapolis is in full swing. (Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 12, BCAC Lobby Day!) It’s an exciting time, with new leadership in several committees and several fresh new faces from right here in Baltimore and around the state of Maryland. BCAC will continue working with our existing legislative and advocacy partners while we form new relationships during this legislative session, so that together we can address childhood trauma and abuse. Here’s what we are working on this legislative session, and how you can help: What We’re Working On This Session Children's Advocacy Centers for all Maryland Children BCAC is a non profit subsidiary of LifeBridge Health |