Child Abuse Prevention Council

Yolo County Children’s Alliance (YCCA) is the lead for the Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC). Child Abuse Prevention Councils (CAPCs) of California are community councils whose primary purpose is to coordinate the community’s efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect.

Because of the complexity of this charge, the Welfare and Institutions Code instructs that CAPCs should involve representatives from Child Welfare Services, the criminal justice system, the prevention and treatment services communities, and the larger community. The Yolo County CAPC includes representatives from a wide range of agencies, organizations, and the community. Members are appointed by the YCCA Board of Directors. The CAPC meets at least quarterly.

Vision, Mission, Values

CAPC Functions

The Yolo County CAPC serves the following functions, in accordance with Welfare and Institutions Code 18982.2 (2-6) and the Yolo CAPC (1):

1. Serve as an advocate for children and families in Yolo County
2. Provide a forum for interagency cooperation and coordination in the prevention, detection, intervention, treatment, and legal processing of child abuse cases
3. Promote the public awareness of abuse and neglect and the resources available for intervention and treatment
4. Refer professionals to trainings in the prevention, detection, intervention, treatment, and legal processing of child abuse and neglect
5. Recommend improvements in services to families and victims
6. Encourage and facilitate community support for child abuse and neglect programs

CAPC Members

• Celina Alveraz, Empower Yolo
• Gina Daleiden, First 5 Yolo
• Mariah Ernst-Collins, Yolo County Office of Education
• Tracy Fauver, Yolo County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)
• Sara Gavin, CommuniCare Health Center
• Rachelle Gayton, Yolo County Probation
• Cameron Handley, Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center, Yolo County District Attorney’s Office
• Karleen Jakowski, Yolo County Health and Human Services, Child Youth and Family Branch
• MariaIsabel Mandujano, Community Partner
• Rob Strange, West Sacramento Police Department
• Brian Vaughn, Yolo County Health and Human Services, Community Health Branch

CAPC Meetings

Child Abuse and Neglect:
What It Is and What to Do About It 

We all want children to be safe and healthy. However, the heartbreaking reality is that every year thousands of children are victims of child abuse and neglect. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that “at least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and this is likely an underestimate.”  

We all have a role to play in making sure children have the opportunity to thrive. In Child Abuse and Neglect: What It Is and What to Do About It, you will learn more about the types of child maltreatment, what to do when you think a child or family needs more support, and how to make a report if you suspect that a child has been abused or neglected. 

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, please call Yolo County Child Welfare Services (CWS) at (888) 400-0022 (toll-free) or (530) 669-2345 (local). CWS welcomes consultation calls. 

YCCA prepared this document as a project of the Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) in collaboration with Yolo County Child Welfare Services (CWS).  

Child Abuse and Neglect during COVID-19 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased risk for child abuse and neglect because of additional stress and economic insecurity. While it may be difficult to maintain normal connections with children during this time, there are other ways we can address the safety and well‐being of our children and families. Supporting Safety and Well-being of Children and Families during COVID-19 provides tips for teachers, social workers, counselors, day care providers and others who work with children and contact them virtually. The document includes questions that providers can ask parents and caregivers as well as children and youth. It also identifies some areas of concern that might indicate a need for a report or a consultation call to Yolo County Child Welfare Services. This document was created by Sacramento County and has been modified by the Yolo Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) with permission. 

Strong Families Yolo

Strong Families Yolo is a new website that encourages everyone to play a part in caring for Yolo children and strengthening Yolo families. Whatever our role in the community – friend, educator, business owner, parent, person of faith – there are ways we can support children and families in Yolo County.

Visit www.StrongFamiliesYolo.org today to find out how you can help make Yolo families stronger!

CAPC activities

• Child Abuse Prevention Materials for Parents and Providers: YCCA, as a project of the CAPC, produces materials and resources for Yolo County agencies, organizations, and parents to help strengthen families throughout Yolo County. New materials are launched in April for Child Abuse Prevention Month. For more information about our materials, click HERE.
   
• Distribution of Period of PURPLE Crying Materials: The Period of PURPLE Crying program is an evidence-based Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma prevention program. YCCA provides materials to Yolo County birthing hospitals for dissemination to all parents of newborns. Learn more HERE.
   
• Participation on the Yolo County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Team: FIMR is a community-based program that works to address issues and factors that may affect fetal and infant mortality or morbidity. FIMR is dedicated to improving the services and resources for women, infants, and their families to reduce the occurrence of infant or fetal deaths within the community. During this process, community-based health professionals come together as a team to analyze the basic statistical and epidemiological aspects of fetal and infant mortality.
   
• Participation on the Yolo County Child Death Review Team​

• Other CAPC efforts: In addition, the CAPC has developed a 3-year Action Plan (2019-22) and currently has an ad hoc Data Committee to help inform child abuse and neglect prevention recommendations in Yolo County.