Child Assault Prevention Program Lauded by Township

Children in Warren have been learning how to protect themselves from bullies, predators and abusive parents for a decade and a half, thanks to a group of parents who work with schools to teach the vital lessons.

As part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Warren Township Committee wanted to take note of the efforts of the Somerset County Child Assault Prevention program, which has been working in Warren schools for more than 15 years, and the local residents who are helping the program.

In a series of proclamations presented at the April 4 Township Committee meeting, the committee recognized the program, presenting a proclamation to Priscilla Melton Franzyshen, Somerset County Coordinator of the New Jersey Child Assault Prevention program, as well as local facilitators Susan Riemenschneider, April Robinson, Dan Shanok, Chris Monahan, Lori Beck and Sheile Marion.

The township also recognized the township school district, which has been working with the NJCAP program. Franzyshen said the program works through the schools to reach young children.

"We use a three-prong approach to prevention education," she said. "This includes staff in service and parent workshops. They cover the prevention and empowerment strategies given in the children's workshops, and offer suggestions for the most effective way to support those strategies at home, school, and in the community."

Franzyshen said the CAP program enphasizes "self-assertion, peer support and communication with a trusted adult" in the programs.

"As adults, we teach our children to always wear seat belts, we practice fire drills, and stop, drop and roll—and yet each year, more children are reported victims of abuse and neglect than from all the motor vehicle accidents and fire combined," she said. "Parents and teachers have the most influence on a child's life—through education, we can turn these statistics around."

Franzyshen said the group has appreciated Warren's support for its work.