The CAN Council is a 501(c)3 that has grown and changed over the past three decades. We have adapted to the needs of the community and work to meet new needs that arise.
History of CAN Council
2016
Received Children’s Trust Fund Direct Services Grant for support of parents at high risk for abuse and neglect
2016
Accreditation granted to expand CASA into Bay County
October 8, 2015
Community open house celebrated completion of Saginaw County office expansion and renovation
2015
With help from court professionals, prosecutors, DHHS and attorneys, research and planning began for CASA expansion into Bay County
2014
Secured 21 infant simulators and began offering Safe Baby program in Bay County after offering the program in Saginaw County since 2003 (originally known as Baby Think It Over)
June 17, 2014
Broke ground on 1311 N. Michigan Ave. building expansion, which added 9,000 sq. ft., a full 12,000 sq. ft. basement, an elevator and a garage
2013
Added Great Start University, offering evidence-based parenting education and support
October 13, 2011
Announced regionalization with Nathan Weidner Children’s Advocacy Center in Bay City to become CAN Council Great Lakes Bay Region
2009
Celebrated 30 years of service in Saginaw County
2007
S.O.S. – Safer, Older, Smarter research and development began
January 2005
Established CAN Council’s first endowment fund with the Saginaw Community Foundation’s Kresge Challenge
2004
Children’s Advocacy Center achieved national accreditation from the National Children’s Alliance
May 2003
Legal affiliation with United for Kids: Children’s Assessment Center began; program renamed Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) to reflect the CAN Council’s affiliation with the National Children’s Alliance
May 30, 2002
First CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) case assigned in Saginaw County after program was planned, designed and implemented with leadership from Judge Faye Harrison
October 1999
United for Kids Medical Director Dr. Harry Frederick attended specialized child sex abuse medical evaluation training
September 1999
United for Kids received VOCA (Victims of Crime Act) funding for the first time, allowing for the creation of a case coordinator position
April 1999
Utilizing an NCA grant, a United for Kids multidisciplinary team attended the National Symposium on Child Sexual Abuse
February 1999
Pamela Knight, MA, MSW, hired as full-time United for Kids executive director
January 1999
Independent of CAN Council but in shared office space, United for Kids – Children’s Assessment Center created to reduce trauma for children suspected of being sexually and/or severely physically abused and provide medical examinations for abused children; named as a tribute to its first sponsor, United Airlines
November 1998
Purchased buildings at 1311 N. Michigan Ave. and 507 Catherine St. in Saginaw; moved into offices in December
September 1997
New mission statement – “to educate, advocate and collaborate within the community in order to realize the end of child abuse and neglect” – created during a 12-month strategic planning process
1996
Became affiliate member of United Way of Saginaw County
1995
Executive Director Suzanne Greenberg hired
1985
CAN Council articles and bylaws restructured to comply with new Michigan statutes
August 9, 1979
Incorporation completed; housed by Westlund Clinic at no expense, CAN Council began operations with $168 in the budget
July 12, 1979
CAN Council’s Articles of Incorporation approved; board members elected; filing for nonprofit, charitable and tax-free status completed
June 7, 1979
Foundational meeting of CAN Council, held at the Norman Westlund Child Guidance Clinic, attended by 29 people
1978
Ad hoc committee of professionals called together by Junior League of Saginaw Valley; first meeting held in Mary Solterman’s kitchen
1975
Michigan passed the Child Protection Law to stimulate the reporting of abuse and neglect and better protect children; the law directed the Michigan Department of Social Services to work with communities on education and prevention and the development of multidisciplinary teams
1972
National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse founded to help citizens become active in the prevention of child abuse and neglect