Perspective 21
In January 1992, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation began an innovative community initiative designed to address the needs of abused and neglected children. The Perspective 21 Initiative is a process that has galvanized community support to identify and implement solutions for preventing child abuse and neglect. For eight months, a 34-member community task force met weekly to gather data from the community and ultimately reach consensus on 16 broad-based recommendations. The Perspective 21 process marked a significant step in opening Kent County's child welfare system to community involvement. This holistic community approach has brought impartial opinions and fresh insights to those systems that provide services to children and families.
A key component of the Initiative is the nationally recognized Early Impact program, which provides voluntary prevention services to families potentially at-risk for child abuse and neglect so that they do not have to be in crisis before they can qualify for help from the child welfare system. These prevention services include individual and family counseling, housing assistance, parenting skills, and substance abuse counseling. Currently the program is offered at the following community agencies: Arbor Circle, Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Social Services, Family Outreach Center, and Lutheran Child and Family Services.
Prior to the Early Impact program, the community approach to prevention services was fragmented and ineffective to the point where only 43% of families reported to the Kent County Family Independence Agency were investigated for child abuse and neglect. The Early Impact program now represents a complete change in direction for our community. Today, the Kent County Family Independence Agency is able to intervene with 88% of families reported to them with either an investigation or prevention services through the Early Impact program. Last year 4,245 families were offered Early Impact services and of those families 65% volunteered to participate in the program. Less than 1% of participating families were referred back to the Kent County Family Independence Agency for child abuse and neglect.
© Grand Rapids Community Foundation - 161 Ottawa Avenue NW 209 C - Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503 - 616.454.1751
