The Child Abuse Prevention Education (CAPE) board of directors announces the hiring of Mary Thurman as the new program director.
CAPE has been serving Great Bend and Barton County schools since 1980. Child abuse prevention programs are presented to children age three years old through sixth grade. CAPE programs are carefully selected to meet the age appropriate issues and comprehension levels of each age group. Programs are designed to teach children how to recognize, resist and report abuse. Building self-esteem, how to stay safe when alone, how to avoid potentially dangerous situations and how to protect themselves from strangers are also emphasized. CAPE is a fully funded United Way organization.
Mary Thurman has been an area educator for over 30 years, serving as a school counselor for the past 15 years. Thurman has also served as a CAPE board member for the past 10 years. She is very happy to be able to serve the children of Barton County and looks forward to expanding the program into Pawnee County in the coming year.