A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD As we look back on the year that was 2012, Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL) set forth on a journey to define the most important thing we can do to achieve our mission, “To Protect and Promote the Well-Being of Children” now and into the future. While we saw the base of government financial support for our work shift and understand it will continue Dona Booe Brad Heyen to do so over the next several years, we refused to compromise President/CEO Chairman of the Board the integrity of our work and the quality of our service models used to help children and families. To maintain this most important position, we must increase our ability to engage “Remember then that there is philanthropists in our cause to prevent child abuse. Why should only one important time, and we consider this to be what is most important in this world? Every child should have the right to grow up at home that time is now. The most with their parents and not be afraid. They should know that they important one is always the one are loved by their mom and dad, safe and secure at night when you are with. And the most they go to sleep. And parents should know that they can be important thing is to do good for successful and fulfill these most basic needs for their children de- spite their personal histories or economic status. For KCSL staff the one who is standing at your preventing child abuse and neglect is most successful when we side. For these are the are able to do good for the one you are with and who is stand- answers to what is most ing at your side. Parents who struggle need help at the right time, important in this world.” with services designed to meet their unique family needs before children are hurt. To accomplish this work we know private – From the children’s book The Three philanthropy is the best resource to ensure flexibility, creativity Questions, based on a story by Leo and timely to a call for action. Philanthropic resources are gener- Tolstoy and written by Jon J. Muth ally stable in focus, less likely to shift priorities with changing political winds, and do not present a threat or fear for families being served. KCSL staff, private funders and volunteers can see each family individually and support them at the right level to reach their most important goal. If you need more convincing then consider the economic impact of child abuse in Kansas. In State Fiscal Year 2012, there were nearly 2,000 substantiated cases of child abuse/neglect reported by the State Department for Children and Family Services. In 2012, the Center for Disease Control reported that as a public health issue, one non-fatal victim of child abuse will cost taxpayers a lifetime average of $210,000. The greatest share of those costs is not reflected during childhood but rather as an adult when worker productivity and health care costs are affected. Our communities, corporations, and economy also pay a high price when child abuse is not prevented. Private non-profits like KCSL have proven success in work- ing with families to actually prevent child abuse from occurring. $1 invested in his future Despite a 50 percent increased likelihood that abuse/neglect would occur, the 650 first time parents in KCSL’s Healthy Families ensures a better program in 2012 kept their children safe and free from abuse future for all. 99.98 percent of the time. Child abuse prevention is possible to accomplish with the right support. And considering that for every $1 invested in child abuse prevention services $7 in more costly services later is avoided, it is often a very cost-effective support. This is a return on investment that we can all clearly understand and value. Remember then that there is only one important time. And that time is now for us to join together as private individuals to prevent child abuse in Kansas. As we leave 2012 behind and embark on our 120th Anniversary during 2013, we will celebrate a history that has benefited thousands upon thousands of children and families. We will look bravely to a new future with friends, volunteers and partners who also know that what is most impor- tant in this world is the prevention of child abuse and are willing to personally invest in that cause. With Appreciation for Your Support, Brad Heyen, Chairman of the Board Dona Booe, President/CEO NaTIONAL RECOGNITION We keep him safe, so he’ll grow KCSL received a $50,000 cash grant during the Bank up to save lives. of the West Philanthropy Awards ceremony in San Francisco, California on November 13. KCSL was nominated by KCSL Board Chairman, Brad Heyen, who is also Vice President at Bank of the West in Wichita, Kansas. “I nominated KCSL because I’m proud of the prevention work they do for kids,” Heyen said. “I was adopted through KCSL in 1965, and the impact they have had on me and countless other children and families for 120 years is tremendous.” Dona Booe, KCSL President/CEO, along with Heyen attended the award celebration that honored the leadership of individuals and nonprofit organizations who demonstrate meaningful progress in their local communities. KCSL was selected out of 300 nominations throughout the western half of the U.S to be one of the nine finalists in award categories to showcase excellence for commitment to community, team members and community leaders. KCSL received the Team Member Commitment award, recognizing a nonprofit in hon- or of a Bank of the West team member whose leadership has significantly advanced the organization’s mission and inspired fellow team members. “We are truly honored to receive this prestigious award,” Booe stated. “We strive to make a differ- ence in our community everyday through the work that we do, and the support we’ve received from this award will allow us to continue to effectively serve Kansas children and families.” Bank of the West provided awardees with a short video vignette to promote their good work. The winners and finalists were chosen by an independent committee of the bank’s foundation leaders. What a remarkable opportunity for KCSL to be hon- ored nationally for its work! KEEP KIDS SafE e believe that all children deserve to be safe and free from abuse and neglect. This belief inspires us to work hard and ensure the safety of Kansas kids. Our work with the Period of PURPLE Crying® is an excellent example of how we do this every day. The program approaches Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma prevention by help- ing parents and caregivers understand the frustrating features of crying in normal infants that can lead to shaking or other infant abuse. The Period of PURPLE Crying program has had an outstanding year and has greatly exceeded goals and expectations. In addition, we successfully coordinated a statewide campaign in April for Child Abuse Prevention month educating our state on the importance of community and family engagement. Our success is measured by the difference we can make for a family or child in need, and we desire that all Kansans be made aware of the need to protect future generations and keep our children safe. • 69 of the 71 Kansas birthing hospitals have success- new partnerships with Dillons food stores, Natural fully implemented the Period of PURPLE Crying pro- Grocers and Spangles fast food restaurants to further gram, educating approximately 37,000 new parents our Child Abuse Prevention month campaign. across the state. • We presented at the International Conference on • As part of the Click for Babies campaign, we worked Shaken Baby Syndrome on Kansas implementation of with knitting groups, individuals and media outlets the Period of PURPLE Crying. to distribute 9,800 purple knitted caps to every new • We presented at the U.S. Department of Health and baby in the state during November and December, Human Services Office of Child Abuse and Neglect exceeding our initial goal of 6,000 caps. National Conference and Prevent Child Abuse • New billboard, TV and radio campaigns were imple- America National Conference on the Period of mented for the Parent Helpline, Child Abuse Preven- PURPLE Crying, Wichita Child Abuse Fatalities Com- tion Month and the Period of PURPLE Crying. munity Response Team and with Circle of Parents on • We coordinated a statewide Child Abuse Preven- the KCSL Fatherhood Model. tion campaign involving 27 counties, distributing • New billboard, TV and radio campaigns were imple- 188,285 pinwheels and bookmarks; sending 178 mented for the Parent Helpline, Child Abuse Preven- letters to the editor; presenting 46 city, county and tion Month and Period of PURPLE Crying. state proclamation signings. In addition, we formed BUILD STRONG FAMILIES rograms and strategies like quality early education, home visiting, parent education and mental health services, all play a role in strengthening families. As a result of our work to build strong families, we served a record number of families through our Healthy Families program. Healthy Families offers intensive, in-home support to parents of children ages 0-3, specifi- cally parents that are overburdened by stress factors. Children thrive when their parents thrive, and that’s why it’s important that all members of the family receive the support that they need. • 656 Kansas families in 18 counties received support 96 % have insurance coverage for health care; 88% and of those families 100% of the children remained in are up-to-date on immunizations.