Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition

09/07/2023

On August 31, 2009, 3 year old, Schala Vera was murdered by her mother's boyfriend. That prompted detectives within the Chandler Police Department to take action beyond the conviction of the perpetrator of little Schala's murder. Detective Gary Fuller, the lead investigator in her death decided to put together a coalition of agencies across Maricopa County to help educate people about the signs of abuse, methods of reporting, and where to seek help when in crisis. Thus began the Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition (CAPAC).

For over 14 years the coalition through a volunteer board and volunteer members would annually recognize Schala's birthday to reinvigorate the mission to educate and report child abuse to its communities. It also put together an annual family event to share the coalition mission and ensure children had a safe and fun place to just enjoy being kids. Plus, volunteer members would put together presentations across our Greater Phoenix on child abuse prevention.

Sadly, after much thought and deliberation, CAPAC will cease to exist.

CAPAC is thankful to the hundreds of former and current board members and volunteers who took time out of their busy lives for such a worthy cause, helping prevent child abuse. Just because the organization will no longer exist, we hope you, as a follower of CAPAC will find other worthy organizations dedicated to the prevention of child abuse to donate and get involved.

04/03/2023

We want to thank the over 600 participants that attended Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition's 10th Annual Family Fun Day at Mesa Public Schools's Pomeroy Elementary School this past weekend. Also, a huge thank you to Andrea Erickson and her team at Pomeroy Elementary School for putting together all the great activities that kept parents and children entertained.

We also want to thank our sponsor, First Things First plus all our resources partners, Arizona Department of Economic Security, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Human Development, Catholic Charities Community Services, Parents as Teachers National Center, and Community for sharing important resources for parents in attendance.

Finally, thank you City Government of Chandler, Arizona's Mayor Kevin Hartke and Mesa Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Andi Fourlis for joining us as guest speakers.

Interested in learning more about CAPAC, visit us at www.capacaz.org

03/10/2023

March needs🙌 We are collecting books 📕 for our victims! Share your favorite or check out our Amazon wishlist. Suggested topics listed, new or used, message us with questions. These books can help provide learning & healing resources for our victims 💕📚 Copy/paste wishlist link 👉 https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/12C8QLE8P27K/ref=cm_go_nav_hz?

03/10/2023

Are you interested in donating your time? Maybe you're interested in joining our Speakers Bureau to then share how to be an effective reporter? Or maybe your organization would like to help CAPAC with some of its events?

Connect with us on LinkedIn below:

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition | 54 followers on LinkedIn. Helping to educate Arizona communities in becoming reporters of child abuse & neglect | The Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition (CAPAC) serves to empower communities in Arizona to protect children by raising aw...

03/10/2023

Check out the new Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition website. Interested in volunteering or becoming involved? Let us know.

08/26/2022

We will never forget Schala and these 95 children.

08/25/2022

Today Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition will be holding a remembrance of Schala Vera at Pomeroy Elementary School starting at 5:30pm.

Every year, the Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Coalition (CAPAC) hosts an event for current and new members commemorating Schala Vera's birthday and a remembrance on her tragic passing so as to share her story and ways moving forward to help prevent child abuse.

07/22/2022

CAPAC is on Twitter again! Follow us on Twitter, here, and LinkedIn to find out some of the great things CAPAC is doing in our communities.

Helping to educate Arizona communities in becoming reporters of child abuse & neglect

11/23/2021

Everyone understanding child abuse and neglect is critically important.

Understanding how widespread the issue of child abuse is, is the first step in understanding how to address it. Raising awareness and providing support can be powerful tools for those families and children experiencing abuse. Together, through advocacy and positive parenting strategies, we can end the cycles of trauma and stress that are often the root cause of child abuse. Read about the many programs available at the Office of Prevention https://dcs.az.gov/services/prevention

04/13/2020

Parenting during pandemic isn't easy. Please check out First Things First to see what great resources are available for parents of children 0-5.

  Young children are especially sensitive to situations causing stress in their world and among their parents and caregivers. And these are stressful times. First Things First offers the following resources to help support Arizona families with young children during the coronavirus crisis. We’re ...