The Childrens Haven, a Canton-based agency that provides services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect, has teamed up with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia to help prevent child abuse in Cherokee County. The not-for-profit evolved from the organization originally known as CASA for Children, Inc. but changed their name in 2015 to The Childrens Haven to better encompass the many services they provide to children. Their programs work to give foster kids the opportunity to succeed by bringing a variety of support programs under one roof.

Of course, the most important work in these efforts is to ensure that children who have already experienced abuse are safe from secondary abuse. This partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia will allow our agency to provide innovative prevention programs using research-based models that prevent primary abuse. We are thrilled to be positioned to get in front of the problem and emphasize prevention right from the start to make sure child abuse and neglect never occur, stated The Childrens Haven Executive Director, Deidre Hollands.

Hollands states that their first Prevent Child Abuse initiative will be the promotion of 1-800-CHILDREN, a helpline for anyone who is concerned about a child. The helpline provides support for parents, caregivers and professionals alike. It is professionally staffed by operators from Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies and operates Monday-Friday, from 8:00am-6:00pm.

Callers can get the following information and referrals from the helpline:

-Parenting support
-Counseling and support groups
-Referrals for legal needs
-Grandparent issues
-Child abuse and prevention information
-Concern about the well-being of a child or family member
-Family violence concerns
-Community resources for emergency assistance
-Resources for special needs children