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In 1978, Marilyn Anderson, Child Protective Supervisor for York County, was invited to speak to a group at the Congregational Church in Saco. Marilyn described the plight of some youngsters in York County and aroused the concern of several listeners. At their urging, a group of these people and other members of the social service professional community began meeting on a regular basis. Although attendance continued to change at each meeting, there was a core group of seven individuals that eventually began the Council.
In August 1980, the York County Child Abuse and Neglect Council became incorporated. Later in November, Marilyn Staples was hired to be the first Executive Director.
The main focus has been in the schools to let children know that child abuse is never their fault and to tell a trusted adult if they are being abused and for all professionals to understand their role as mandated reporters. Over the years, programming has expanded to include the nationally recognized
Nurturing Parenting Program for families, and school programs that include Baby Think It Over, Break the Silence, Project Prevention, Personal Body Safety and our newest: Project Empathy.
In 2005, the name changed to Child Abuse Prevention Council of York County, and in 2009 a new logo was adopted.
The focus of the Council continues to be on prevention in the school systems across York County. Each year the Council reaches over 7,000 students and 3,500 individuals through community outreach
programs.
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