Program - Sue Gifford - Child Crisis Arizona John Pennypacker introduced Sue Gifford. She brings a lot of talent to her position as Director of Individual and Legacy Gifts for Child Crisis Arizona (CCA). With more than 30 years of customer relations and twelve years of fundraising experience, Sue has helped contribute to the philanthropic efforts and expansion of Child Crisis Arizona since 2018. Sue directs major and legacy gift efforts by working closely with donors and connecting people to their philanthropic goals. Prior to moving to Arizona, Sue worked with donors at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine to raise funds for a state of the art Med School expansion campaign for Clark Retirement Community Foundation that resulted in raising $0M. Sue holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science/International Studies from Aquinas College, is a graduate of Landmark International's Curriculum of Living Program, a Certified Fund Raising Executive, member of the Greater Arizona Association of Fundraising Professionals, Planned Giving Round Table and alumnus of Scottsdale Leadership Class 33. She is also an active volunteer. The Mission of Child Crisis Arizona is to provide children and youth in Arizona a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect, by creating strong and successful families. Their vision - "Safe Kids. Strong Families." For forty-five years, they have been responding to community need to prevent and intervene in cases of child abuse or neglect and to strengthen families. They provide both Prevention and Intervention Programs. Intervention can include emergency shelter for children and youth with 24/7 care in a home-like setting. The children receive medical screenings, counseling, behavioral health support, educational support and activities for foster children in Maricopa County. They now serve both children and youth. In FY2022, Arizona Department of Child Safety reports there are currently 12,604 children and youth are in out-of-home care. There are long term foster care services for teenage boys ages 10-17. For youth ages 16-21, who will be aging out of the foster care system, there are transitional housing, educational support, job placement, and life-skills training available. The license and certify parents for foster care and adoption for children from the state child welfare system. They serve single and two-parent families of all religious beliefs, ethnicities and sexual orientations, and have the Human Rights Campaign Seal of Recognition. They have a 3% disruption rate, which is far below the national average of 12%. Disruption occurs when a child is removed unexpectedly from a foster home. Prevention is achieved through no-cost resources, now online, for families through different parenting classes, workshops, support groups and quarterly family events. CCA partners with over 20 nonprofits to meet families where the need is, remove transportation barriers and time constraints. They focus on improving the security and well-being of families. They offer free programs for relatives and foster and adoptive family caregivers. Arizona has more than 198,000 "kinship care" who are caring for one or more related children. Early education services provided by CCA include Early Head Start (ages 1-3), Head Start (ages 3-5) and Child Crisis Arizona Preschool (ages 4-5). They serve families 100-200% below Federal Proverty Rate in Mesa and Phoenix. Early Head Start requires 25% philanthropic support. 611 individuals are served through that program. The Child Crisis Arizona Preschool relies on 100% philanthropic support for the 108 individuals served. There were 30 preschool graduates in 2022. Evan Komar and his brother were placed in an emergency shelter when they were 8 and 6 years old, after being in several foster homes. The brothers and a sister were adopted by a loving family through Child Crisis Arizona. CLICK HERE to view a YouTube video of Evan telling their story at a pre-COVID Lunch for Love. Coming soon in Mesa is a New Child & Family Wellness Campus. CLICK HERE to see the slides Sue shared. The final slides effectively highlight the growing needs this center will enable their organization to serve.
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