History
January 1979 Midland County Child Protection Council, Inc. (MCCPC) was established with the purpose of promoting the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect in Midland County by coordination of existing community resources, by identification of the need for and the development of new resources or services, and by the promotion of community awareness and professional education in the field of child abuse and neglect.
1984 The Children’s Trust Fund (now Children Trust Michigan) began providing funding for prevention services in Midland County
October 1st 1988 The Adopt a Child’s Smile Program was established to provide basic preventative and restorative dental care to low-income, uninsured children
1989 Still a volunteer-led group, MCCPC offered parenting skills classes and body safety education lessons in local schools
1999 The Midland County Safe Kids Coalition was formed with a focus on car seat safety education. As a member, MCCPC secured funding and training for the establishment of the Child Passenger Safety Program, providing new car seats to families in need.
2002 The Child Assessment Center Committee of law enforcement professionals, social service workers, court officials, and MCCPC members formed with the collective vision of coordinated child abuse investigative efforts and the establishment of a forensic interviewing program.
2006 MCCPC purchased and renovated the former Early On building to serve as the location of the child advocacy center
April 2007 Midland County Child Protection Council, Inc. became Safe & Sound Child Advocacy Center with the addition of the forensic interviewing program
April 30th 2007 Safe & Sound Child Advocacy Center conducted its first forensic interview
2008 Achieved accreditation status with National Children’s Alliance, which sets the standards for consistent, evidence-based interventions that help children heal
2010 Safe & Sound Child Advocacy Center became a United Way partner agency, receiving funding to support intervention services
2013 The First Annual Art + Advocacy Fundraiser was held
2014 Staff became Authorized Facilitators of Stewards of Children®, a child sexual abuse prevention training for adults
June 2024 For clearer identification of services, the agency completed rebranding with a new logo and name: Midland Child Advocacy Center
The Advocate Manifesto
Written by Renee’ Deckrow, 2019
“Let’s end abuse.
Let’s be the kind of community that says… not on my watch.
Let’s have each others’ backs.
Let’s look up and look around and be the noticers and caretakers of each other.
Let’s roll up our sleeves.
Let’s be willing to have messy conversations.
Let’s refuse to look away because it’s uncomfortable.
Let’s shine light on darkness and shame.
Let’s become educated and aware.
Let’s create support structures for the families at risk.
Let’s refuse to say, “not my problem.”
Let’s be the change and let’s make our community stronger.”