The Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) was established in the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1992. CCAN supports the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect and was created and led by Dr. Barbara Bonner, an internationally known expert in child abuse research, clinical services, and training. Dr. Bonner believed that an interdisciplinary approach of bringing professionals together across law, medicine, social work, law enforcement, dentistry, psychology and related fields, was the most impactful way to unite professions in a shared mission of eradicating abuse and neglect of children.

 

To that end, Dr. Bonner created the Interdisciplinary Training Program on Child Abuse and Neglect (ITP). The goal of the ITP is to develop leaders who are rigorously trained, committed learners, and will, through professional advocacy, education, policy development, research, and service, contribute substantially to the prevention of child abuse at the state, national, and international levels.  There have been more than 600 graduates of the program.

 

A recent graduate had this to say about the ITP:

 

“I really enjoyed this class.  I have learned so incredibly much and feel lucky to have been a part of it.  The speakers that came to the class were amazing, the level of expertise among the teaching staff was amazing, and it provided the students with the opportunity to learn from one another.  I was thrilled with the course and so happy that I was approved to take it. “

 

Despite producing graduates that are working in leadership roles across the field of child abuse and neglect prevention, the ITP does not have a long-term, stable source of support. CHF is raising funds to support current ITP operations, as well as for an endowed fund to provide long-term sustainability.  Give now to ensure this critical program continues to improve the lives of children in Oklahoma!