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| COMBAT-Supporter Child Abuse Prevention Programs |
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Amethyst Place Preventing Multi-Generational Substance Use
Amethyst Place is a safe haven where mothers recovering from substance use can rebuild their lives and families. Through a holistic model that includes supportive housing, therapeutic care, and empowerment programs, Amethyst Place helps families break free from cycles of poverty, trauma, and addiction. At its core, the program offers not only stability—but hope, healing, and long-term transformation. At the center of Amethyst Place is the Supportive Housing Program, which provides 37 fully furnished apartments in a vibrant, close-knit community. Families are given a stable home for as long as they need, along with access to basic essentials like food, clothing, and household items. In 2023, Amethyst Place supported 163 women and children in reclaiming their lives through the safety and security of stable housing. Kansas City faces a severe housing shortage, with more than 64,000 units of affordable housing needed for low-income renters.
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Child Abuse Prevention Association
The Children’s Advocacy and Parenting Assistance (CAPA) organization operates vital programs in two full-service facilities located within high-risk areas identified by the COMBAT hotspot map—one in Independence at Hocker Avenue and 23rd Street, and another in eastern Kansas City near the Raytown hotspot. CAPA’s presence in these communities places it at the frontline of addressing child maltreatment and family trauma. CAPA is widely recognized for its clinical services, home visiting programs, and community education efforts that specialize in trauma-focused care for children and families. These programs empower families to break free from generational cycles of abuse, neglect, and violence by providing evidence-based treatments that foster resilience and hope. CAPA utilizes research-backed models that have been proven effective in helping children and caregivers transition from trauma toward healing and improved well-being.
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Child Protection Center
The mission of the Child Protection Center (CPC) is to build a healthier community by leading the response to the prevention, identification and treatment of child abuse and violence. The CPC accomplishes its mission by providing forensic interviews, family advocacy and mental health services to children 3 to 17 living in Jackson County, who are victims of sexual or physical abuse, or who have witnessed violent crimes. CPC also conducts interviews with the children's non-offending caregivers. The CPC ensures children who are victims of child abuse or witness to violent crimes are properly identified, that their statements are made through forensic interviews, and that they are ensured access to all necessary mental health treatments and social supports as soon as possible.
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FosterAdopt Community Connections Youth Project
Community Connections Youth Project (CCYP) was created out of a need to support youth who were at risk of aging-out of the foster care system without having been adopted or placed with a family. Studies have shown youth who age out of foster care have a higher risk of facing homelessness, abuse-neglect, lack of employment and low education obtainment, among other factors. CCYP is a voluntary case management program offered by FosterAdopt Connect to serve older foster youth and young adults who recently aged-out of foster care (ages 17-26). The overall goal of the program is to connect clients to services and resources they need to be successful as adults—and to mitigate many of the circumstances that lead to negative lifetime outcomes for people who have experienced significant childhood trauma. CCYP's overall goal is to assist these young people in achieving the short-term goals that pave the way for future success and a lifetime of positive outcomes.
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Heart of America BSA Be Prepared
Kansas City faces one of the highest rates of violent crime in the nation. According to Neighborhood Scout, residents face a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. For the city’s children, these statistics are more than numbers—they represent the everyday reality of walking to school, playing outside, or navigating peer pressure in an increasingly digital world. In response, this community-based initiative is grounded in a simple but powerful belief: our children deserve better. The program brings together youth, families and key institutional partners to promote crime prevention, drug education, digital safety, and abuse awareness—equipping young people with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead safer, healthier lives. The mission of this program is to educate, empower, and protect youth in Kansas City by addressing critical safety issues through early prevention and family engagement.
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Jackson County CASA
Jackson County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) is dedicated to ensuring children who have experienced abuse or neglect have a strong, compassionate voice in Family Court. CASA’s mission centers on two critical goals: first, to secure safe and permanent homes for these vulnerable children, and second, to advocate for their access to medical, educational and therapeutic resources throughout their time under court jurisdiction. Currently serving about 50% of all children in care, Jackson County CASA is committed to expanding its reach to serve 100% of children in court custody. This scaling up reflects a vital response to the increasing number of children affected by abuse, neglect, and parental substance use in Jackson County. In 2023 alone, Family Court served over 2,000 children facing these challenges, with more than half of those cases involving parents struggling with substance use disorders. Each child supported by CASA benefits from a personalized team of advocates.
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KC Municipal Court Truancy Intervention
The Truancy Intervention Program works closely with the Kansas City Municipal Court to provide case management and outreach services to children and families involved in Truancy Court. Directed by the presiding judge, this program aims to identify and address the root causes of truancy among children ages 7 to 17, helping them overcome barriers to regular school attendance. Ultimately, the goal is to improve both school attendance and academic performance through coordinated support and community referrals. Each year, approximately 300 students appear in Kansas City’s Truancy Court due to challenges attending school consistently. While truancy is often seen as a disciplinary issue, the program recognizes that underlying factors frequently contribute to these attendance problems. These can include bullying, exposure to gang activity, difficult family situations, mental health concerns, and substance use.
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MOCSA Comprehensive Sexual Violence Prevention
MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) provides vital services from its main office in the heart of Jackson County, Kansas City, Missouri. This strategic location ensures accessibility for individuals and families across multiple communities within the county. The program focuses on evidence-based treatment for youth exhibiting sexual behavior problems, including therapy, as well as sexual violence education in schools. Additionally, MOCSA leads community-level prevention efforts, aiming to reduce sexual violence through a coordinated, public health approach. Sexual violence remains a pervasive public health crisis. One in four women and one in 10 men will experience sexual assault during their lifetimes, and one in 10 children suffer sexual abuse before age 18. Jackson County reflects these troubling statistics. In 2023 alone, Jackson County reported 618 sexual offenses — roughly 12 sexual assaults every week.
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Violence Prevention Programs