FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 27, 2004
For more information, please contact:
Sandra Lindsey at (989) 797-3505
slindsey@sccmha.org

SAGINAW COUNTY COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CEO APPOINTED TO STATEWIDE CHILD ABUSE TASKFORCE

SAGINAW, MI - Sandra M. Lindsey, CEO of the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority, has been appointed to Governor Jennifer M. Granholm’s Task Force on Children’s Justice.

The task force is responsible for the review and evaluation of the handling of child abuse cases in Michigan. Lindsey, as the only director from more than 46 mental health boards across the state, will represent health and mental health professionals. 

“I am honored to have been appointed to the task force,” says Lindsey. “I see my role as not only a participant on the important issue of child abuse, but also as a liaison to the public community mental health system.”

The Governor’s task force makes recommendations on potential courses of action that, if taken, would improve efficiency of the current system to better protect children, punish abusers and enhance the laws governing child abuse, while guaranteeing due process of law to all parties involved.

According to a study published in 2004 by the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, approximately 896,000 children were victims of child abuse in 2002. Of these, an estimated 1,400 cases were fatalities.

 “Public policy regarding child abuse and neglect is, of course, about how to best protect children and punish abusers,” says Lindsey. “However, we must be equally concerned about ensuring a system of support and service to victims that makes sense, is timely and helps them to heal and move forward.”

“Sandra Lindsey is an excellent addition to this task force,” says the Honorable Carl Williams, State Representative (D-95). “I have worked with her in the area of mental health for several years and I find her to be very bright, very passionate about the issue of child abuse and extremely thorough in her work.”

Lindsey’s two-year term begins October 5, 2004, and ends June 30, 2006.

Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority is headquartered at 500 Hancock Street in Saginaw, MI. SCCMHA provides numerous services including evaluations, screenings, treatment and referrals. SCCMHA assists approximately 5,000 Saginaw County citizens annually.

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