A dream is defined as: "a vision of something possible." This is an introduction to just such a dream, a dream that we have had for well over a year. We now want to share our dream with others.
This dream is in the form of a private non-profit agency called "YES ICAN." YES is the affirmation of every individual's capacity to change and to make a difference. ICAN is the acronym for International Child Abuse Network. As is stated in our mission: "Working worldwide to break the cycle of child abuse,” the services we will provide through this agency will be for anyone who needs assistance or information concerning child abuse. We believe that child abuse could cease to exist if everyone had the capability to receive accurate information about abuse and then had the capacity to receive assistance and support to change.
The International Child Abuse Network (Yes ICAN) is a premier provider of crisis, information and referral services world-wide for those who are having issues around child abuse.
To be this premier provider International Child Abuse Network (Yes ICAN):
1. Maintains a location on the Internet (http://www.yesican.org). This location has the ability to provide current information about child abuse (articles, bibliographies and personal testimonies). Those accessing this portion are able to download this information for their personal use. Users have the capability of leaving messages and questions for professionals to answer regarding child abuse. The International Child Abuse Network (Yes ICAN) also provides facilitated support chat groups for those who wish to have a place to network with others who have common issues around child abuse, (i.e. adult survivors, protective parents, domestic violence surivors, individuals who are in relationship with an abuse survivor and parents who want to discuss their parenting skills).
Trained facilitators lead these support chat groups. A facilitator has completed the Yes ICAN training program taught by a licensed therapist through the International Child Abuse Network, Inc. Their training has addressed issues surrounding child abuse, adult survivors, domestic violence, significant others and parenting. A facilitator has also been trained in crisis intervention and group process.
2. Provides printed educational material about child abuse. This material is written by professionals and translated into at least four languages. This material includes topics on child abuse detection and reporting, adult survivors, parenting, professional issues, statistics, bibliographies, etc.
3. In the future we will have a toll-free, 7x24 confidential international hotline. The hotline will consist of four segments. This first segment will be a crisis/information-referral center for children (ages 11 and under) 24 hours per day. This portion of the hotline will receive top priority in both queuing ability and crisis service. The second segment will be our Yes ICAN Teen Line, a crisis/information-referral center for teens (ages 11-19). Trained teen crisis counselors from 12:00 PM to 10 PM Pacific Time will staff this segment. The third segment will be a crisis/information-referral center for adults (ages 18 +) who have issues with child abuse. The fourth segment will be the information center. This segment will give general information, statistics and take requests for literature.
Certified Crisis Specialists will staff each segment of the International Child Abuse Network (Yes ICAN) Hotline. A certified crisis specialist has completed a 60-hour training for telephone crisis counselors. This 60-hour training includes lectures on a variety of topics. Topics include, crisis intervention, effective communication, interpersonal violence (child abuse, domestic violence and rape), suicide, drug abuse, etc. This training also includes role-play and evaluation. Once certified, a crisis specialist will attend additional hours of training throughout their employment specific to the International Child Abuse Network (Yes ICAN) Hotline.
In addition to the crisis counselors, each segment of the (Yes ICAN) Hotline will have supervisor/crisis counselors who will monitor shifts, do statistics and make crisis decisions when necessary. Supervisor/trainers will round out the segments. These supervisor/trainers will maintain the schedule for the hotline, supervise crisis counselors and backup crisis counselors and do all training of crisis counselors.
The Yes ICAN Hotline will include TDD equipment for the hearing impaired. Through the use of AT&T Language Line Yes ICAN will have the capability to interpret for up to 150 different languages.
The Yes ICAN Hotline will maintain a computerized database that will carry all statistics and referrals. Information/referral specialists will keep this current on an annual basis.