In 1993 the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento (CAPC) began a cost-effective child abuse prevention program implementing home visitation and family resource center strategies utilizing AmeriCorps members in Sacramento County. The program, now known as CAPC Corps, was developed to provide long-term effects on children within the program by addressing risk factors related to abuse and neglect. CAPC Corps members, recruited from communities with the highest rates of child abuse and neglect, were provided training and support, and the opportunity to perform family support service in their community. The program started with only 20 CAPC Corps members serving in four locations.

Today, the CAPC Corps program continues to enroll AmeriCorps members from within the communities where they serve to provide on-site, direct assistance to children and families with the goal of reducing the risk factors related to child abuse and neglect. Family stress due to isolation, poverty, inadequate parenting skills, and domestic violence are recognized as some of the underlying causes of child abuse and neglect. These causal factors are addressed through strategies such as: home visitation, family resource centers, academic enrichment, foster youth mentoring, and breastfeeding support.

During the 2005-2006 program year, about three hundred (300) Sacramento County residents responded to the call of community service. These CAPC Corps members focused on “Getting Things Done” in neighborhoods throughout the county while serving at one of many community locations.

The CAPC Corps program supports the personal and professional development of members. CAPC Corps members are given the opportunity to develop skills and gain valuable experience critical to their future success. Members receive extensive training related to their service assignments. CAPC Corps members gain skills in conflict management, mandated child abuse reporting, parent/child bonding, team building, data collection, child development, cultural diversity, and personal goal setting. In addition to the training, member development includes personal support, reflective supervision, and tools for service so that AmeriCorps becomes a stepping-stone to lifelong service. This “win-win” philosophy makes a difference in the lives of CAPC Corps members as well as the families and children that they serve.

Partnering CAPC Corps Organizations/Service Site Agencies

• Community Resource Project’s Women Infant and Children (WIC) Program
• Folsom Cordova Community Partnership
• Folsom Cordova Unified School District
• Home Visitation Coordinating Council
• La Familia Counseling Center
• Mutual Assistance Network
• River Oak Center for Children
• Sacramento Children’s Home
• Sacramento County’s Women Infant and Children (WIC) Program
• San Juan Unified School District
• The Effort