Wichita coalition for child abuse prevention

The Wichita Coalition for Child Abuse Prevention (WCCAP), formerly known as the Wichita Child Abuse Fatalities Community Response Team, is a collective impact group with more than 116 representatives from 65 organizations.

WCCAP formed to create and carry out prevention initiatives as a community response to the cluster of eight child abuse fatalities in Wichita that were identified by the Wichita Eagle in 2008. Its mission is to empower organizations in Wichita to create an effective system to prevent child abuse and neglect.

KCSL is the lead agency as the state chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America. Wichita State University serves as the backbone organization. Additional leadership roles have been assumed over the years by the Wichita Children’s Home; Wesley Hospital; Via Christi Hospital; Department for Children and Families; Rainbows United; Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County; Junior League Wichita; Child Start; Wichita Police Department; and a community volunteer. This work is funded by Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. For more information, email us or call 877-530-5275 ext. 1335.

Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities 2016 Report
In May 2015, WCCAP members testified about their work to the National Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities. Their testimony was featured in an insert in the Commission’s final report.

Wichita - Champions for Children

WCCAP's accomplishments to date:

• Networking with service providers to improve the prevention service delivery system and remove barriers to services in the Wichita area.
• Designed a Strengthening Families Resource Map for health care providers and others.
• Implemented the Period of PURPLE Crying, an evidence-based program that educates new parents of the frustrating features of increased crying in normal infants that can lead to shaking or abuse.
• Established Crisis Nursery which provides short-term care services for children when parents are experiencing a crisis or extreme stress and case management services connecting families to resources needed to improve parent/child functioning.
• Started REAL Support for Families, a group that distributes resource booklets and diapers, wipes and formula in the Wichita zip code areas with the highest child abuse and neglect and child abuse fatalities.
• Created the Greater Wichita Fatherhood Coalition to help local agencies become more father-friendly and to host activities for fathers and their children.
• Organized the Research and Education Team to educate the medical community on abusive head trauma.