Connie Dumas Named To Child Advocacy Center Post

FULTON, NY – Karrie Damm, executive director of the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County, announced that Connie Dumas has been named the Outreach and Prevention Advocate for the CAC.

A new position for the CAC, the outreach and prevention advocate will work closely with CAC partner agencies regarding best practices for the community prevention of child abuse and fatalities.

By reaching out to community members, faith based groups, professionals, youth serving organizations and parents, the CAC hopes to educate individuals on the issue of child abuse and engage them in the CAC’s efforts to end child abuse in Oswego County.

“I am pleased to welcome Connie to our staff, said Damm. “As a mother of four children, ages 11 to 17 months, she is very aware of the importance of protecting our children and is passionate about the work we do.”

“I became aware of the CAC through my husband who is a member of the Fulton Police Department,” said Dumas. “After visiting the CAC’s website and reading about the work that Karrie and her staff do to protect our children I realized that the CAC is a perfect fit for me. I wanted a challenge and there is no better cause than helping the children in our community and being on the leading edge of efforts to end child abuse in Oswego County.”

One of Dumas’ initial goals as outreach and prevention advocate is to promote the CAC’s Darkness to Light Steward of Children training initiative. The training offers a curriculum focused on teaching community members the five steps they can take to help prevent physical and sexual child abuse.

1. Learn the facts.

2. Minimize Opportunity.

3. Talk about it.

4. Recognize the signs.

5. React Responsibly.

These topics are covered in depth and outline easy ways in which individuals can incorporate these steps into their lives.

The skills encompassed in these five steps allow responsible adults to take risks, support each other and make educated, proactive choices that they may have never done before such as talking to children about sexual boundaries, redirecting adults that are crossing those boundaries, reporting instances of child abuse and supporting others efforts to prevent sexual abuse.

“The Stewards of Children program provides a better understanding of what child abuse is and how it happens,” said Damm. “Educating individuals and helping them get a clearer picture in their mind of what child abuse is and why it happens is paramount to preventing and eliminating child abuse.”

Darkness to Light Stewards of Children is a two-hour, adult specific training. Dumas will be reaching out to those that are mandated to look out for the safety of children while in school, during sports or other after school activities, church groups or anywhere children gather.

“My goal is to provide training to 450 individuals by year’s end,” said Dumas. “We’re willing to bring the training to them and will hold ongoing trainings at easy to access nearby locations. We’ll even hold trainings in people’s home. It’s perfect for communities with a neighborhood watch program or just those interested in the safety of their children and others.”

Damm added that Dumas will also play a pivotal role in the CAC’s involvement in the Safe Harbour initiative as she will provide education for members of the partnering agencies.

A partnership between the CAC, the Department of Social Services and other agencies, the purpose of Safe Harbour is to organize a better community response for children who have been commercially sexually exploited or trafficked.

The partners will come together to develop a critical team so if a child or adult come for services they will be in a “Safe Harbor” where they will be able to gain easy access to the services needed.

“Connie is at ground zero on the Safe Harbour project,” said Damm. “She will play a pivotal role in the CAC’s involvement with the system and provide education for the partners.”

Currently located at 301 Beech St. in Fulton, with a satellite office at 4822 Salina St. in Pulaski, the CAC of Oswego County is a non-profit charitable organization that works hand-in-hand with local law enforcement, prosecution, child protective services, medical providers, therapy providers, and victim advocacy professionals in Oswego County to protect and serve children that are victims of sexual and physical abuse.

The CAC is looking forward to moving to its new home at 163 S. First St. in Fulton by mid-November.

For more information on the Child Advocacy Center of Oswego County, contact them at 315-59CHILD (592-4453) and follow them on Facebook.

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