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Organization: Exchange Club CASTLE Program: Valued Visits Funder: Children's Services Advisory Committee RFP: #5054 PROPOSAL NARRATIVE A. ORGANIZATION CAPABILITY (Entire Section A not to exceed one page) 1 . Provide the mission statement and vision of your organization. The mission of the Exchange Club CASTLE is to improve the quality of family life while preventing child abuse and neglect, by providing community education , support and resources for families in need of assistance . The CASTLE envisions a community where each child is allowed to grow to his or her full potential , free from abuse and neglect, and families have access to the supports they need to create healthy living and learning environments for children . 2. Provide a brief summary of your organization including areas of expertise, accomplishments and population served. The CASTLE began in 1981 , and now serves as the model for a national network of child abuse prevention centers that span 107 locations in 27 states . With an involved, active Board of Directors , and an Executive Director, Theresa Garbarino-May, who is beginning her 171i year at the helm of the agency, the CASTLE is known for its steady leadership and quality programs . The CASTLE was fortunate enough to receive both national and state recognition last year. Nationally, the United States House of Representatives recognized the CASTLE as a "true American success story" for serving as a national model in the fight against child abuse . In Florida, the State Senate awarded Ms . Garbarino-May the Florida Senate Medallion of Excellence for her outstanding service to the children of the Treasure Coast . This year, the CASTLE has been recognized as a leader in the area of supervised visitation by being awarded a $300 ,000 federal grant to expand services to victims of family violence . The CASTLE was one of only three providers in Florida to receive this funding . Finally, the CASTLE was in the running as one of the "Best Places to Work" in a local study done jointly by the Chamber of Commerce, the Human Resources Association , and the Workforce Development Board. The CASTLE was described as "very competitive" with other top organizations in the area. The CASTLE offers an array of services designed to prevent child abuse , and cultivate the parent-child relationship . Our core program Safe Families , offers long term, home based, parenting skills development . Other programs offered by the CASTLE include : Families First, a training seminar for divorcing parents ; High Hopes for Kids , offering support to children whose parents have divorced ; Positive Parenting, a support group for parents facing difficulties raising their children ; Healthy Families, providing home based services to pregnant women and newborns ; Valued Visits , a supervised visitation center, and our newest program , Co-Parenting, a support group aimed at helping divorced parents reduce conflict surrounding shared custody. CASTLE services utilize best practices , and a continuous quality improvement model . The population served is : families who are at risk for abusing or neglecting their children ; families who have had a reported incident of abuse or neglect, but who , with support and education , can eliminate further episodes of abuse ; families with children 0- 18 ; and families who live within Indian River County. This year' s demographics indicate that 46 % of enrolled families are single mothers or fathers , 69 % have completed high school , 82 % have incomes under $25 ,000, and 63 % are White, 20 % are Hispanic and 14 % are Black. 4