The LaPorte County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Inc., doing business as Dunebrook Prevent Child Abuse LaPorte County, is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1989.

The mission of this organization is to advocate for children and provide positive family support and education. Dunebrook was initially developed to increase community awareness of child abuse and neglect and to coordinate services for child abuse victims and their families. The creators envisioned a center where intervention and prevention would work together toward the best interests of the children in LaPorte County. Dunebrook was to be a child centered, safe place devoted to nurturing families and protecting children. Nurturing families, helping parents and advocating for children have become Dunebrook's greatest strengths.

Dunebrook works collaboratively with many agencies to provide parenting education and support programs. Many of the programs are offered in a home visitation model such as Parents As Teachers or Healthy Families while others are offered at Dunebrook or at school sites, libraries, churches and other places in the community. The Nurturing Parenting Program and Baby TALK are examples of these site-based programs. Our Parents As Teachers and Healthy Families Programs can begin prenataly and continue until the child has entered kindergarten while Nurturing and Baby TALK will last for a number of weeks. Each of these programs vary giving parents a variety from which to choose.

In addition to these programs, Dunebrook can help expectant mom's address substance use issues during pregnancy. Our Prenatal Substance Use Coordinator will help provide guidance and support to reduce or quit harmful substance use particularly during pregnancy. However, this program is not limited to expectant mothers but can also be used to help parents reduce substance use, particularly smoking in homes where children are present.

Participating in community events, talking about Shaken Infant Syndrome, co-hosting an annual training event and dinner, participating in a community vigil and raising community awareness through billboards and use of the media are all ways that Dunebrook advocates for children. Helping people recognize abuse and neglect and understand their need to report are included in the information that Dunebrook provides to this community.

Dunebrook has come a long way since 1989 reaching hundreds of families with our direct services and thousands more indirectly. In October 2001 Dunebrook was designated by the United States Department of Education as one of two Indiana Parent Information Resource Centers. This designation is in recognition of our many parenting programs. Through this designation Dunebrook can help other Indiana communities develop parenting programs while sustaining and building parental support in LaPorte County. It is a wonderful opportunity!