Community Collaboration for Children (CCC) is a prevention program funded by the Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) and Title IV-B, Subpart 2 of the Social Security Act "Promoting Safe and Stable Families" (PSSF), both federal funding sources. PSSF provides funding for community-based efforts that promote the safety and well-being of children and families. Consistent with well-being and safety outcomes, the CBCAP grant provides funding to support a statewide network of community-based, prevention-focused services for families and children. In short, safety along with the child’s mental and physical health is the paramount concern of the CCC Program. A key goal of the CCC Program is to increase the strength and stability of families through prevention services.
CCC services are offered through a competitive process which results in a contract in each service area. Services may differ from region to region depending upon needs of the local communities. Each service area contractor is responsible for direct services as well as the coordination, building and maintenance of the existing Regional Network.
Referrals for services are appropriate for families who are at-risk of child maltreatment. Families at risk is defined as having children living in their home; involved with domestic violence; involved with substance abuse; are teenage parents; and/or have children who are disabled. Referrals are encouraged from community partners as well as the Cabinet (except where noted below).
The following are the services funded by CCC:
- Family Team Meetings - meetings that bring families, agencies and community partners together to resolve issues that exist within the family.
- Intensive In-Home Services - intensive, short-term, home based intervention services offered to families at-risk.
- Supervised Visitation – occurs between children, who have been removed from their home, and their parents and/or siblings. All referrals must come from the Cabinet and have a goal of reunification.
- Parenting Education - offer parents an opportunity to understand children's behavior and learn basic principles of child development and management.
- Building Community Partnerships – is designed to engage traditional and non-traditional partners in the work of child protective services, collaborating with the Cabinet and with parents who need services.
Along with services, CCC requires a Regional Network in each service area. The Regional Network has established goals of child safety and family stability and is comprised of community partners and parents who work together to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. The primary responsibility of the network is to reach out within local communities to build the awareness of the importance of prevention of abuse/neglect of children.
One of the unique qualities of Community Collaboration for Children is the requirement of parental involvement. Each Regional Network is to design a plan that will develop leadership roles for the meaningful involvement of parents.
The Community Collaboration for Children service area contractor recruits community members and parents (family members) who advocate for children. Regional Network members include a Regional Network Coordinator; at least three parents; representative from each CCC services; CHFS staff; CCC staff; court system representatives; early childhood council representatives; Family Resource/Youth Service Centers representatives; community leaders, including the faith community; child serving prevention program/agency representatives among others.
Each network must meet at least five times annually. The purpose of the meetings is to note progress of each service provided, plan and utilize funds, discuss issues, and make recommendations for special projects such as prevention activities, fatherhood and faith-based activities.
Each Regional Network is given an allotted amount that is designated to support the Regional Network and its activities. The purpose of these funds is to promote the awareness of child abuse and/or neglect. The Regional Network must vote on all expenditures. In addition to the Regional Network funds, each region is allocated funds for fatherhood and faith-based activities.
There are some restrictions to the expenditure of Regional Network funds. The following CANNOT be funded by the Regional Network:
- Services for families and children already in the foster care system or in the juvenile justice system.
- Non-child abuse prevention-related activities.