The concept of Affiliate Programs grew from the desire of Exchange Clubs to support child abuse prevention efforts in communities where accredited Exchange Club Centers do not exist. Many Exchange Clubs support existing child abuse prevention programs in their communities. There was previously no formal mechanism in place to connect these efforts to the services and support systems of the National Exchange Club Foundation. Affiliate Program status for these other Exchange-supported child abuse prevention programs extends such services, and also provides a means for the Foundation to track local Exchange Club efforts in the prevention of child abuse.

Before granting Affiliate Program status to an agency, the National Exchange Club Foundation strongly encourages Exchange Clubs to support established Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Centers in their district or state. If an Affiliate Program can comply with the Standards of Operation and Practice, it may apply to become an accredited Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center.

An Affiliate Program is an agency that provides child abuse prevention services and receives support from one or more local Exchange Clubs, but does not meet the qualifications for an accredited Exchange Club Center — for example, it does not provide parent aide services — or otherwise does not comply with the National Exchange Club’s Standards of Operation and Practice.

• National advocacy and representation of child abuse prevention interests.

• Training and technical consulting services are available in the following areas for an hourly fee: resource development; long-range strategic planning; board development and evaluation; program development and evaluation; volunteer recruitment and training; staff development; quality assurance.

• Child Abuse Prevention Month kit and Shaken Baby and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Prevention kits.

• Regular updates on new and emerging issues in the field of child abuse prevention.

• Access to the Child Abuse Prevention listserv, which provides fundraising ideas, PR tips, grant writing information, parent aide updates, and the latest news on child abuse prevention.

• Access to the Parent Aide listserv, which provides a mechanism for parent aides to seek advice and discuss issues relevant to the field.

• Access to the CAP Services website, www.preventchildabuse.com for information on child abuse and prevention issues.

• Listing in the Foundation’s Program Directory.

• Invitation to attend the Foundation’s annual Child Abuse Prevention Convention and Symposium.

• The Washington Memorandum published by the National Child Abuse Coalition, Washington, D.C. This in-depth newsletter focuses on legislative issues that affect children and families.

If a club supports an agency and would like it to become affiliated with the Exchange’s Child Abuse Prevention Services, it can request an application from the National Exchange Club Foundation. The agency will need to send:

• A completed application form.

• A detailed description of the agency’s services.

• A copy of the agency’s budget.

• Annual dues payment of $100.

Affiliate Program staff are expected to maintain contact with an assigned Program Specialist of the National Exchange Club Foundation. An Affiliate Program is not permitted to use the Exchange Club name in its title.