CARE-ing to make a difference

Torus Tammer

When Laurann Cook’s home was burglarized in 1980, she could not have

imagined the crime would influence the lives of 80,000 public school

students.

But the intrusive act led the Fountain Valley City Councilwoman to

evaluate what was precious in her life, and consequently she became aware

of the dangers facing the most vulnerable members of her family -- her

two daughters.

From that awareness came the impulse to act. Today, her carefully

nurtured Child Abuse Resistance Education program reaches a private

school, Shoreline Elementary, for the first time.

“Everything changed when our house was robbed,” Cook said. “I got

involved in the Fountain Valley Neighborhood Watch program, where I would

go around to houses telling people to protect their valuables... I

realized that the most valuable things in my life were my two girls.”

In 1983, with a commitment to participate from the Fountain Valley Police

Department, Cook developed a curriculum with the input of the local

school district. The program has been in local public schools ever since.

From kindergartners to eighth-graders, the program, commonly known as

CARE, arms children with knowledge about which adult behaviors to

consider suspect and where to go when help is needed. Cook said she has

been presenting the classes with two volunteers, Irene Gergen and John

Gutsmiedl, since the beginning. However, police officers deliver most of

the presentation to students.

“It was essential to have a police officer present because they are

trained professionals,” Cook said. “If a child was to disclose anything,

then [the officers] would know how to handle it.”

Fountain Valley Police Chief Elvin Miali has worked with the program for

14 years.

“It’s very important that the children know a police officer is a friend,

and that’s a big part of this program” Miali said. “One of the problems I

have is when a parent uses the threat of the police in order to scare the

child... ‘If you don’t do what I ask you, I’ll get that police officer to

put you in jail!”’

Miali said he ensures the officers who are selected have an understanding

of the program, as well as the right demeanor to communicate with

children.

Principal Dale Hickey of Shoreline Elementary said he is glad to have the

program come to his school. A parent brought the program to the school’s

attention.

“It is a sign of the age that we live in and necessary to introduce

programs like this for our children,” Hickey said.

Marc Ecker, superintendent of the Fountain Valley School District,

agrees.

“In this age, schools are taking this preventive measure because many

children are from single parent homes where the parent may not be able to

spend the kind of time they need to with their children,” Ecker said. “By

allowing this program, the school is helping the children acquire the

tools necessary to differentiate between right and wrong.”

Tamura Elementary School Principal Kathleen Selleh has had the program at

her school for the past two years and regards it as important.

“We see the benefits of CARE in parents that feel more secure and kids

who understand who they can and cannot trust,” she said

As for Cook, she would like to see the program expand.

“The potential is there for CARE to be in all schools,” Cook said, “and I

will do anything to help make this happen and protect children so they

can become happy, healthy adults.”