October 13, 2020 4:00 a.m.

Seeking to educate the public about child sexual abuse as a key to prevention, Compass Behavioral Health and Adapt Prevention and Education are launching a project to provide Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training to the community.

An Adapt release said too many children are living in environments that undermine healthy development. Those children are more likely to experience sexual abuse, resulting in life-long problems in learning, behavior and both physical and mental health, according to the release.

The local project is being led by Angel Reeves, Supervisor for Compass Behavioral Health ESD school-based therapy programs, and Cati Adtkins, Adapt Prevention and Education Program Director. Both are authorized facilitators for the program. The project is being supported by both Compass and Adapt, and a child sexual abuse prevention grant from the Ford Family Foundation.

Those taking the training will learn to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse, according to the release. The initial goal is to train 500 local adults in Stewards of Children by June of next year. The three-year goal is to train five percent of the county’s adult population. For more information about the project, contact Angel Reeves at angelr@compassoregon.org.

Cati Adkins talked about Stewards of Children on Inside Douglas County on Monday.

That interview is a KQEN Podcast at www.541radio.com