Updates

CAP will be partnering with Foster Care Alumni of America in January.

Foster children account for a disproportionate number of abuse and exploitation reports in our society, and a tremendous number of children are in the foster system in the US. In Washington state alone, the number averages 11,000 at any given time.

The issue of abuse and exploitation of children in the foster care system is our primary motivator for Safe Child project. Initially, we wanted a mandatory curricula just for foster kids - by law, they would have to be taught their rights and how to safeguard their rights immediately upon being removed from their home. Logistically, however, that's extremely difficult. So we thought - well, let's take it to every single kid in the state, and make it logistically simple and huge, instead.

We're looking forward to working with the FCAA to improve the situation of foster children through security education and empowerment. Also, we just LOVE what the FCAA is trying to do. The Reunion was an incredibly inspirational idea, and we were very sorry to have missed it.

We're blogging about it beforehand to give you all the opportunity to provide feedback on our decision before we actually do it.

Community

I'm excited to meet Maggie from NCMEC today, and spend the day getting to know her and working on Take 25/Safe Child projects for 2009.

There are two ways [from my perspective] to really make a difference with Take 25. One, you can go to Take 25's website and get ideas for a single event, or a series of events, log them into the Take 25 website and they'll send you distribution materials [bookmarks, tip sheets, magnets...], and then have your event! It's a great feeling to contribute to the community, and it's easier than pie.

The second way to make a difference with Take 25 is to build consensus

• that Take 25 is important.
• that the message and information contained in those distribution materials is necessary, and
• that not only should an organization sponsor or host an event, they should consider implementing changes into their existing policies that reinforce the safety of their community
• at every level available to the planner - church, community center, school, employer, city, or state.

That is what Safe Child Week is about. There's not a state or community in the country that doesn't need some child security education - I am very sure of that. You can bring it to the community you live in.

Changes at CAP

CAP is moving from a c4 to a c3 nonprofit [we'll let you know as soon as we get approved - you'll hear the screeches of joy across the country], which requires that we shift the org's structure a bit.

Each chapter's website is moving to cap-usa/state_name. We're doing that via automatic redirect, so you don't need to update your bookmarks. The vast majority of education materials will be organized at www.communitywatch.us. If some piece of education is primarily for one state, then it will be on that state's site and on the Community Watch site.

The whole org, all three small chapters [and growing ;-)], will share the same advisory board, but the state directors have near-complete autonomy, so long as they follow the by laws and mission statement and listen to their local members.

The shop, links for donations, and ability to join as a maintainer will all be up and running sometime in January.

Community Watch is a work in progress. It will be a better product if we get some feedback. PlayGround Watch is coming in 2009.

And - you can probably tell that we could use some help. Do you have project or program management skills? About ten hours a month free? Dedication and stick-to-itness? Please send us an email.

December Wash-CAP update

We've been very busy at Communities Against Predators - there's a lot to read:

• We have a new safety website up at http://www.communitywatch.us/ - it's a work-in-progress, but there's some great information there, so check it out and tell your friends!


• We're building a Board of Advisors: representatives from communities and organizations will help guide our goals and decisions. If you have someone in mind for consideration, please let us know!


• Two membership levels will be available as of January 1st - Supporters and Maintainers.
  >Supporters - are showing their support of our effort. We ask for name and zip, plus school or legislative district. You can opt into our Action Alerts and/or Updates, or not. All information provided is kept entirely private.
  >Maintainers - are showing their support and helping us carry it forward with a membership cost of $10 per year. Maintainers also share a seat on our Board of Advisors, and thus get to collectively vote [simple majority] on our yearly agenda.
  **NOTE! - we don't want anyone distracted from holiday donations, so please do not send us any money now. Food banks, Giving Trees, the Salvation Army, and your local shelters are all great places help out this season.


• Maggie, from the Take 25 program at NCMEC, is visiting next week, Thursday December 11. Join us for a brain-storming session Thursday morning, with coffee, pastries, and some great company, to help plan Safe Child Week 2009! Wash-CAP had great success with Safe Child Week 2008:
  >Governor's Proclamation of Safe Child Week from May 19-25, 2008
  >TV coverage on KOMO 4 news
  >Take 25 materials in libraries across the state in May
  >Collaborative efforts with the Missing and Exploited Children's Task Force for WA
  >Public Service Announcements from the Attorney General's office
  >and more...
  *If you'd like to come to the planning meeting, reply back and I'll let you know exactly when and where! Bring a friend!
  **Also, NCMEC doesn't have an office up here in the North West - let's show them some dedicated citizenry!



• We're working on a few bills for this coming session, please let your legislators know what you think about them:
  >Statute of Limitations on Felony Sex Crimes against Children - we think it should be lengthened.
  >Indecent Exposure with Sexual Intent - we think it should be more than a misdemeanor [jay walking is a misdemeanor...].
  >Increased Penalty Zones around schools and bus stops - we think there should be IPZs around them, and the PTA agrees!
  >Safe Child Legislation - do children in Washington have rights? What are they, exactly? We think it should be articulated.

OK! That's all I've got for now. We really hope to see many of you next Thursday morning [December 11], to give Maggie a big welcome and let her know how important her organization, and our effort, is to our community.

Thank you for your support. We've heard from dozens of you in the last few months, and it's very encouraging to know that you all care and support our efforts.