Programs and Services

Parent Aide Program

Services are offered to families in all of Orange County free of charge through referral to the Alamance Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. The program includes intensive home-based intervention using volunteer or professional parent aides with at-risk families and families already involved in child abuse and neglect. Parent aides provide weekly home visits for an average of 13 months with case management helping each family. The program works -- over 88% of clients who complete this treatment are not resubstantiated for abuse or neglect.

While referrals may be made by professionals in the community, parent aide services are offered at the family's request and are voluntary. The family may call directly to request Parent Aide services.

Parent Aides help families develop:

  • Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Improved coping skills
  • Increased understanding of the developmental tasks and needs of children
  • Improved problem solving skills
  • Increased social contact
  • Improved home management skills
  • Increased knowledge of community resources

How to Make a Referral Into the Parent Aide Program
Case workers, community members, and families may refer themselves by calling or e-mailing the Hillsborough Exchange Club Program.
 

Parent Education Program

Aligned with our mission to prevent child abuse and promote positive parenting, the Parent Education program's goal is to provide an opportunity to parents to learn skills that will help them develop cooperation, responsibility and self-esteem in their children. Parents also learn non-violent, positive discipline techniques and ways to communicate effectively with their children.
 

Child Abuse Community Awareness Activities

Presentations to the Community - Offered free of charge to the Orange County community, presentations to schools, professional organizations, civic organizations, businesses and places of worship help educate the community about child abuse and neglect, including how to recognize abuse and how to make a report of suspected child abuse. To arrange a presentation for your group, please call or email.

Child Identification Days – Each year in April and September the Exchange Club hosts free, child identification and information distribution events in cooperation with the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Families who attend receive a "child ID" which contains a photograph, fingerprints and DNA test.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month – Every year, during the month of April, the Exchange Club sponsors or participates in child abuse awareness programs throughout Orange County. In April 2007, the Exchange Club published editorial pieces and letters to the editors in local newspapers, sent outreach packets to all Orange County and Chapel Hill/Carrboro school PTAs, created art and posters displays about child abuse at various venues in Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough and distributed child abuse prevention and parenting literature at health and community fairs throughout the county.
 

Information and Referral Services

The program maintains an up-to-date resource and referral file to help community residents and professionals identify resources to assist children and families. We are a member of the Orange County Health Department's Advocates for Children Committee. This group includes representatives from 48 community agencies that network information and resources on behalf of parents and children.