The Scope of the Problem

• EVERY 11 SECONDS a child is reported abused or neglected
• EVERY DAY, four children die from abuse
• EVERY DAY, averages of 2,475 children were found to be victims of child abuse in 2001 nationwide
• EVERY DAY, child abuse and neglect cost America $258 MILLION in direct and indirect cost
• EVERY WEEK, child protection services (CPS) agencies throughout the United States receive more than 50,000 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect
• EVERY YEAR, every US family will pay $ 1,452.00 for child abuse and neglect
• EVERY YEAR, over one million confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect
• ONE out of FOUR children experience abuse of some kind
• NO GROUP is immune, child abuse and neglect crosses all social, financial and ethnical barriers
• At least 4 out of 5 victims are abused by at least ONE PARENT

Goals

To create a primary prevention public awareness campaign that delivers one message to the entire community at one time To create a universal powerful and professional message about preventing child abuse and neglect to be presented to the entire community via distribution to collaboration partners. This is a proven best practices approach to a social issue that has been proven to prevent socially undesirable and hazardous behavior such as hazard of smoking and driving under the influences

To produce a quality public service announcement that encourages positive parenting. Public awareness activates are an important part of an overall approach to address child abuse and neglect. Such activities have the potential to reach diverse community audiences, including parents and prospective parents, children and community members

To provide a collaborative community partners with the public awareness campaign to be distributed to their clients. Partners include local and statewide agencies dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect as well as concern citizen and faith based organizations.

To provide resources to the community and referrals to agencies This marketing and advertising will be done through the via web-site, phone, fax and e-mail, brochures, billboards and public service announcements

Mission

Our mission is to prevent child abuse and neglect with a universal focus to raise the awareness of the general public, service providers, and decision-makers about the scope and problems associates with child abuse and neglect

About the Director

After working in the non-profit field for eight years as a Business Manager, Human Resources Manager and a Grants Manager, Sharon Sauer decided to pursue her dreams return to graduate school to obtain her MBA and started Mind the Gap 4 Kids. Giving back to the community was instilled at an early age through her Catholic Education that taught her the important of faith and education. Sharon has spent most of her career dedicating her time and talents to children's issues and is convince the only answer to the heartbreaking problem is to be pro-active and strive for PREVENTION.

Sharon's career spans the Houston and Austin areas and includes a Catholic grade school, a computer software company and a State agency dedicated to representing the child's voice in court (CASA). She understands what it takes to make a company succeed in a difficult market which includes hard work, dedication and ambition and drive. The thing that set Sharon apart is her passion for the cause and her core belief that one person can make a difference. Sharon has a natural ability to deliver the message of prevention to others with ease, compassion and conviction that inspires others to get involved.

Mind the Gap 4 Kids became an official 401 (c) 3 organization in July of 2004. Sharon has put up over $20,000 of her own personal savings and retirement to ensure the success of this dream job. Today, she works full-time as the Executive Director of Mind the Gap 4 Kids while at night she is earning her Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship.