The University of Toledo Foundation has received a grant from the Verizon Foundation to expand a program to prevent domestic violence.
The “ACT Against Violence: Primary Prevention of Family Violence” program will be offered to an additional 30 families with the $9,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation.
Adults & Children Together (ACT) Against Violence is a program developed by the American Psychological Association to prevent child maltreatment and family violence.
Dr. Michele Knox, a clinical psychologist who is a UT associate professor of psychiatry and director of the ACT Great Lakes Regional Center, said research has shown that the interactive and activity based approach of the program reduces violence toward children and decreases or prevents children’s aggressive behavior.
“The best and most effective time to address family violence is when adults become new parents and the children are very young,” Knox said. “This grant will allow us to use the most effective methods of family violence prevention with many more of those young families in our region.”
The eight-session, evidence-supported parenting program is designed for parents and primary caregivers of children from birth to 8 years of age. The sessions are one and a half to two hours and are held at a variety of community agencies, schools and health-care settings.
In addition to preventing child maltreatment and youth violence, the program has the long-term goal of raising children to become nonviolent adults. It includes anger management and social problem-solving skills for parents and children, as well as information about child development and guidance in nonviolent parenting skills.
“Verizon has a long-standing tradition of working to improve the communities where we operate by supporting organizations that strive to make a difference in the lives of individuals,” said Todd Colquitt, president of Verizon Ohio. “Through grants and the generous contributions of time and talent from our employees, we are having a positive impact on our communities.”
The ACT Against Violence program is held in various locations throughout the area. For information, contact the ACT Great Lakes Regional Center at 419.383.5495.
