HALOS program aims to prevent, treat
child abuse
Committed, caring individuals affiliated
with religious communities and civic groups are invited to participate
in Helping and Lending Outreach Support (HALOS) and ãadoptä a Department
of Social Services (DSS) worker. This program aims to prevent and treat
child abuse, as well as promote healthy families. It will help provide
goods and services to DSS clients, not available through government agencies.
There is ongoing contact with the DSS worker and the group throughout the
year. There are two main drives for Back to School and End of School. Those
interested may attend a meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 at Holy Cross
Evangelical Church, 5300 Dorchester Rd.
The program originated because of the 1,360 abuse and neglect cases in Charleston County reported to DSS in 1996. DSS coordinates foster care and services for 6,000 children. Each case worker is responsible for about 100 families or approximately 300 children.
Depending on their resources, groups may adopt half a caseworker or more than one. The commitment will be individualized for each group. This will be the fourth meeting. The meetings provide an opportunity to share ideas, learn more about what other religious and civic groups are doing for children in the community, and implement ãadoptions.ä
The program hopes to instill more positive parenting behaviors by increasing awareness of all issues related to child abuse treatment and prevention. The program also aims to make child protection an entire community responsibility, not just a DSS responsibility.
Other goals include providing support to child abuse victims, building a bridge for individuals and families to obtain professional treatment, offering encouragement to DSS workers, and making goods and services available that government assistance does not offer to DSS clients.
Groups represented through this program include the MUSC Childrenâs Hospital, Lowcountry Childrenâs Center, the Department of Psychiatry, churches, synagogues, pediatricians, lawyers, volunteers and more.
The Trident Urban League Inc. is coordinating the program and Maxine Martin and Jenise Jefferson can be reached at 720-2780. For more information from MUSC faculty and staff, contact Eve Spratt, M.D., 792-4839; Steve McLeod Bryant, M.D., 792-5702; Carol Dobos, R.N., Ph.D., 792-9848; Rev. Terry Wilson., 792-4824; Cindy Swenson, Ph.D., 792-6948; Ben Saunders, Ph.D., 792-2945, 792-2945 or Sarah Shuh, M.D., 953-8458.