Proposal

Proposal Assessment Process & Need Statement
Princess Childs
BSHS/452
March 25, 2013
Jennifer Albrecht

Proposal Assessment Process & Need Statement

Children have been abused and neglected in the past and it is still going on now. This has become a well known problem. “According to NCANDS whose latest statistics are for 2005 an estimated 3.3 million referrals of child abuse or neglect were received by public social services or CPS agencies. Of these referrals, 899,000” kids “were confirmed to be victims of abuse and neglect” (Child abuse statistic, 2013). This means that around “12 out every 1,000 children up to age 18 in the United States were found to be victims of abuse and neglect of maltreatment in 2005 (Child abuse statistic, 2013). However, children that are victims of abuse and neglect are taken from their parents or caregivers and are placed in child protective services (foster care or other protective programs). These children grow up traumatized which they feel like there is no hope for them. Our goal is for our clients to be active valued participants at home, school, work, and in the community but, we need additional resources to ensure that all our clients receive the benefits that IAG has to offer (Individual Advocacy Group, 2013). Individual Advocacy Group (IAG) is a not-for profit organization with the mission to provide a full array of quality, outcome-based, functional and age appropriate person and community centered services and support for individuals in Illinois with disabilities (developmental, emotional, and neurological) and DCFS wards, while providing support and solace for their loved ones (families). IAG provides services for many individuals that have developmental disabilities (autism, mental health, emotional behavioral diagnosis, brain injury) and DCFS wards (of the state/ 18-21 range of impairments, ranging from developmental disabilities to mental illness as well as abuse and neglect) (Individual Advocacy Group, 2013). The services provided are CILA (Community Integrated Living Arrangement), Intermittent CILA (Capability of living independently but still requires some services), Home based Services (HBS), Traumatic Brain Injury Program (TBI), Transitional Living Program (TLP/DCFS wards), Post-Adoption Mentoring (for DCFS wards adopted into families), and Ticket to work (employment program for individuals with disabilities) (Individual Advocacy Group- Programs, 2013). Since 1995 Individual Advocacy has provided these services for our clients in over 25 different counties throughout the State of Illinois (Individual Advocacy Group, 2013).However, since the recession it has been difficult for Individual Advocacy Group to provide clients with the proper help that they need. The DCFS wards ages 18-21 (that were victims of child abuse and neglect) Transitional Living Program is one of the programs that has been affected by this. Individual Advocacy Group is in need of funds and donations to continue our mission in helping our clients meet their basic physical and emotional needs for whatever reason that can’t be met without outside assistance. Individual Advocacy Group is known for providing clients with the best services that they require. Having to cut back on services is not an option because, the clients that we provide for is in much need (their future depends on it/certain services). In order for Individual Advocacy Group to continue our services and implement new services that meet our target population needs our agency requires donations and grants that are above and beyond the current needs. Individual Advocacy Group is requesting these funds because our clients’ future depends on it. In addition, to our services funds are also needed immediately to continue provide counseling, budget planning (manage their money and maintain residency), education/tutoring, job training, life skills, personal hygiene, clothes, and food for our clients in the Transitional Living Program. Other items we request are house hold items (tissue, appliances, furniture, etc.), office supplies, cleaning supplies, and assistance with healthcare (some services that are not covered/or covered at a minimum). These items are in constant demand for clients and run out very fast. Essentially, the best case would be a monetary donation, which will allow Individual Advocacy Group to buy on demand and make adjustments/improvements to current (and future) services. Individual Advocacy relies on donations and grants (state funds) to remain relevant in our industry, so we can provide our clients with the best services that they require. With the current cutbacks on available funds and grants Individual Advocacy Group is at risk of not being able full feel our purpose. Therefore, IAG is now requesting more donations from private parties and the public to assist with the Transitional Living Program (and other needs) for our target population. Child Maltreatment has dropped a little but is still at a high rate. According to the Illinois Child Welfare Outcome Report Data child maltreatment victims in “2008 were 29,788, in 2009 29,836, in 2010 28,530, and in 2011 27,907” (Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics, 2013). From these statistics this is defiantly a problem in Illinois and there is a need for an agency (or agencies) for these victims to turn to for assistance in preparing for their futures. Individual Advocacy has been successful in providing young adults that were child maltreatment victims with many services that they require to be successful in their lives (Individual Advocacy Group, 2013). Any safe place requires one to have money. This also goes for residency at Individual Advocacy Group Transitional Living Program. According to the Regional Director at Individual Group it takes between 2,000 to 3,000 dollars a month for a client to reside in the Transitional Living Program at Individual Advocacy Group, which will prepare the clients to be successful in life (Face to Face Interview, 2013). Over eighteen years Individual Advocacy Group has helped over 200,000 young adults that were maltreatment victims in Illinois (Face to Face Interview, 2013). This proves that child maltreatment (abuse and neglect) is more prevalent than most individuals choose to imagine. As to be expected in areas in which these services are offered there is an impact on the community. These young adults no longer feel trapped in their situations and now have a safe get away which they can be themselves and receive the help that they may require. This also helps build community which contributes to society. This ensures that young adults (that suffered from abuse and neglect) will reside in a healthy environment and will become productive in their lives. Unfortunately, there are cons to appropriating funds to a Transitional Living program, which are very little. There are of course those that might take advantage of the system (which hustle the system/take from those who really need certain programs). Then there are those that come dependent on the program which they come attached to the program. When this happens one may be afraid to proceed in the real world and take their place in society. Overall, these cases are very few and statistics tells you that these victims and communities need services that Individual Advocacy Group has to offer. In conclusion, based on the statistics and information that this paper provides one can see that child abuse and neglect is a common problem in society and is not going away any time soon. From this issue it is vital that Individual Advocacy Group receives extra funding for young adults that were victim of maltreatment because, their futures depends on it. These young adults have been through a lot in their lives (taken from their parents/caregivers and some place in multiple placements). These young adults deserve a chance to function properly in the world and Individual Advocacy Group is one agency that can make this happen with the proper funds. IAG is pleading to receive more funding. The agency can’t save the whole target population but, without it out our help who knows what will become of the target population.

References
Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics Retrieved on March 25, 2013 from http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/statistics/can.cfm
Child abuse and neglect statistics- Get the facts of child abuse and neglect Retrieved on March 25, 2013 from http://www.americanhumane.org>...> Stop Child Abuse> Facts sheets Face to Face Interview Retrieved from Mrs. Augustine Brown at Individual Advocacy Group Chicago South Regional Office. 15331 Oak forest, Il 60452. Phone [phone] Individual Advocacy Group- Finding the Way- Having a Heart (2012). Retrieved from http://www.individual/advocacygroup.com/about-iag.aspx http://www.individual/advocacygroup.com/programs-services.aspx http://www.individual/advocacygroup.com/about-missionstatment.aspx

References: Child Abuse and Neglect Statistics Retrieved on March 25, 2013 from http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/statistics/can.cfm Child abuse and neglect statistics- Get the facts of child abuse and neglect Retrieved on March 25, 2013 from http://www.americanhumane.org>...> Stop Child Abuse> Facts sheets Face to Face Interview Retrieved from Mrs. Augustine Brown at Individual Advocacy Group Chicago South Regional Office. 15331 Oak forest, Il 60452. Phone [phone] Individual Advocacy Group- Finding the Way- Having a Heart (2012). Retrieved from http://www.individual/advocacygroup.com/about-iag.aspx http://www.individual/advocacygroup.com/programs-services.aspx http://www.individual/advocacygroup.com/about-missionstatment.aspx