History

We have been around for more than 40 years. Here is what we have accomplished so far.

Children's Advocacy Center of San Francisco's founding team
2010s

2017 San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center changes its name to Safe & Sound.

2016 The Prevention Center purchases the building where the Children’s Advocacy Center is located, 3450 Third Street, Building 2, creating a permanent home in the Bayview.

2015 Kids’ Turn merges with the Prevention Center allowing a more in-depth focus on children undergoing the trauma of parental separation and divorce.

2014 In partnership with the City and County of San Francisco, the nationally-accredited San Francisco’s Children’s Advocacy Center opens its doors for forensic interviews and victim support services in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco.

2013 Co-founds the Center for Youth Wellness, a community non-profit that is part of a national effort to revolutionize pediatric medicine and transform the way society responds to kids exposed to adverse childhood experiences and toxic stress.

2013 Awarded “Against-All-Odds Award” by International Interior Design Association for innovative renovation of our historic Victorian firehouse at 1757 Waller Street.

2011 Voted “Favorite Charity in San Francisco” by 7×7 Magazine

2010 Co-founds Partners in Prevention, a community non-profit dedicated to increasing awareness of the effects of child abuse.

Child Abuse Prevention Society gathering holiday gifts for families
2000s

2007 The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center (Prevention Center) merges with the Child Abuse Prevention Society, consolidating child abuse prevention efforts within San Francisco.

Throughout the decade, the Prevention Center:

  • Co-launches the Family Violence Council in San Francisco to coordinate child abuse, domestic violence, and elder abuse.
  • Takes lead of SafeStart partnering with community organizations and city agencies to provide young victims of violence with intensive case management and support.
  • Takes lead of the San Francisco Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Project partnering with hospitals to provide education to new parents.
The Prevention Center's first logo
1990s

1998 The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center is created when the Child Abuse Council and the TALK Line Family Support Center merge together, joining direct support for families in crisis with policy and advocacy work.

Kathy Baxter & Eliana Gil, Child Abuse Prevention Council, at the opening of the Waller Street firehouse
1980s

1987 The historic, Victorian firehouse in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, is purchased by the Child Abuse Prevention Society, providing a lasting home for the work of the San Francisco Child Abuse Council and the TALK Line Family Support Center.

Throughout the decade, the Child Abuse Council:

  • Successfully advocates for the passage of the Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment Act (CAPIT), the Children’s State and County Trust Funds, and the Kid’s License Plate.
  • Partners to create the first-ever Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition, bringing together 10 Bay Area counties to develop regional policies and legislation to prevent and respond to child abuse.
  • Builds local coalitions to establish specialized units within both the San Francisco Police Department and District Attorney’s Office focused on child abuse.

1982 The Child Abuse Prevention Society (CAPS) and its Auxiliary, in partnership with the Child Abuse Council and the TALK Line Family Support Center, was founded to raise resources and public awareness to prevent child abuse.

Patsy Jones, TALK Line Executive Director, taking a call on our 24/7 phone line
1970s

1979 Single Parent Network, a program of the TALK Line Family Support Center, is established.

1977 Statewide recognized free respite care and emergency shelter is formed.

1976 The TALK Line Family Support Center becomes part of the Family Services Agency of San Francisco.

1975 The TALK Line expands services creating the TALK Line Family Support Center, which provides counseling and case management for families in crisis.

1974 The Child Abuse Council establishes The TALK Line (Telephone Aid In Living with Kids), a 24 / 7 parental support line. Later the TALK Line is supported by the Junior League of San Francisco and its volunteers.

1973 Dr. Moses Grossman, Chief of Pediatrics at UCSF / San Francisco General Hospital, as part of a national movement, creates the San Francisco Child Abuse Council to develop policies and best practices regarding child abuse prevention and response.

Throughout the decade, the Child Abuse Council:

  • Helps to establish the California Office of Child Abuse Prevention, California Department of Social Services’ Advisory Council, child abuse prevention councils in each county throughout the state, and the statewide Child Abuse Council Coalition.
  • Collaborates locally to establish the Child and Adolescent Sexual Abuse Resource Center (CASARC).