National Child Protection Training Center Joining Gundersen Health System

— Gundersen Health System and the National Child Protection Training Center announced they are joining forces to help put an end to child abuse, neglect and other forms of child maltreatment.

The two organizations have signed a letter of intent for the National Child Protection Training Center to become part of Gundersen Health System. The affiliation is expected to be complete in 2013 and will create a first-of-its-kind program in the country, according to a news release.

Gundersen Health System is a physician-led, not-for-profit healthcare system with locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The National Child Protection Training Center is headquartered on the Winona State University campus in Winona, Minn., with the Melba Shewmaker Southern Region National Child Protection Training Center on the NorthWest Arkansas Community College campus in Bentonville, according to the release.

Since its inception in 2003, National Child Protection Training Center staff has trained more than 70,000 child protection professionals in all 50 states and 17 countries.

“This is great news for the long-term sustainability of the NCPTC and our work to end child abuse,” said Steven M. Gates, senior vice president for learning and provost at the community college and a member of the board. “Gundersen is an outstanding health system with a great tradition for serving children. They have long been interested in elevating their support for ending child abuse and are aware of the great work being done by the NCPTC. We’re excited to see this affiliation become a reality.”

The affiliation with Gundersen would allow the National Child Protection Training Center to expand its scope to training not just professionals like teachers, law enforcement officers and childcare providers, but also healthcare professionals. Along with providing operational support for the current work of the National Child Protection Training Center, Gundersen has committed to developing a clinical training component for healthcare professionals, according to the release.

Becky Paneitz, president of NorthWest Arkansas Community College, said the affiliation represents a mutually beneficial arrangement for Gundersen Health System and the National Child Protection Training Center and its regional centers.

“We at NWACC are excited about the opportunities this affiliation will bring,” she said. “Previously, funding for training operations was accomplished through grants and private donations. With the operations now coming under the umbrella of the healthcare system, the affiliation will ensure sustainability over the long haul.”

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