ABOUT US!

Child Abuse Prevention became the National Project of Exchange Clubs in 1979, a decision of the delegates to the 61st National Exchange Club Convention. Today, the National Exchange Club Foundation (NECF) helps local Exchange Clubs develop and maintain community-based child abuse prevention programs, as well as supporting Exchange’s Program of Service, which includes Youth Programs, Americanism, and Community Service.

The National Exchange Club Foundation’s most significant and successful method of countering child abuse is by working directly with at-risk parents through its flagship program, the Parent Aide home visitation model. The NECF coordinates a nationwide network of more than 100 community-based Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers that utilize the Parent Aide program and provide support to families at-risk for abuse. To date, Exchange Club Centers have helped more than 619,763 families break the cycle of violence, thus creating safer homes for 1.5 million children. The NECF provides these sites with training, accreditation, technical support, guidance in agency development and management, and other supportive services.

The Foundation has been endorsed by the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, and was the winner of a Presidential Award from the White House Office of Private Sector Initiatives recognizing exemplary community outreach and volunteer service projects. The NECF is a charter member of The National Child Abuse Coalition and is a Partner in Prevention, along with other national child abuse prevention organizations, through affiliation with the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Each year, the National Exchange Club Foundation supports and engages in a number of activities to heighten awareness of child abuse and its consequences to our society:

National Child Abuse Prevention Month – The NECF endorses the month of April each year as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The NECF produces materials for Exchange Centers and Clubs to use during April, providing public awareness project ideas, public relations information, promotional materials and community involvement suggestions.

Public Awareness Campaigns – The NECF believes it is important to educate the public about the serious implications of child abuse and preventable causes of harm to children. Brochures, public service announcements and other materials help Exchange Clubs, Child Abuse Prevention Centers, and the general public become better informed about child abuse and how it can be prevented. The Shaken Baby Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome campaigns focus on prevention. Believe in the Blue, Time-Out Teddy, KidCode, and other programs provide effective tools to parents for challenging situations that can create risk for abuse.

Disclaimer:  The National Exchange Club Foundation oversees a network of prevention programs, and provides resource and referral.  We are not authorized to investigate allegations of abuse or neglect, or offer legal advice.  If a child is in immediate danger, please call the police.  If you suspect child abuse, contact your local Child Protective Services Department.  For crisis counseling, call ChildHelp at 1-800-4-A-CHILD.