ATSU student organizations donate bags, stuffed animals to neglected, abused children
Posted: March 26, 2007
KIRKSVILLE, Mo. (Mar. 26, 2007) –The student chapters of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians and Alpha Phi Omega at A.T. Still University donated duffel bags and stuffed animals to the Children’s Division of the Adair County Department of Social Services, a unit responsible for removing and safeguarding children from abusive or negligent households.
“Most of the time, when a child is removed from an abusive or negligent environment, it is done very quickly, and that leaves little room for dignity,” said Patricia Sexton, Ph.D., a faculty advisor for the student groups. “Children usually carry their belongings in trash bags. This will give them a more dignified way to move and provide them some comfort and support in a very difficult time for them.”
ATSU is very active in the county’s network of departments dealing with abused & neglected children, even offering class credit and incentives to encourage students to become Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for abused & neglected children during judicial proceedings.