Abuse Prevention Center Workers Cited

Volunteers for the Child Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County were commended recently for turning out in record numbers in the past 12 months.

The center said its 250 volunteers contributed 8,500 hours of work to the facility, with parent aides providing services to about 600 children and 275 families.

The group also estimated that the work of its volunteers saved Orange County taxpayers $2 million by freeing social workers to handle more severe cases of child abuse.

Organized in 1984, the group trains and supervises volunteers who visit homes where child abuse has occurred or is at risk of occurring.

Parent aides teach parenting skills, communication and problem-solving. The center says its work has been effective in 80% of the cases it has handled.

Information: (714) 935-6390.

--BY HOPE HAMASHIGE, DEBRA CANO AND BILL BILLITER