The LaPorte County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Inc., doing business as Dunebrook Prevent Child Abuse LaPorte County, is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1989.

The mission of this organization is to advocate for children and provide positive family support and education. Dunebrook was initially developed to increase community awareness of child abuse and neglect and to coordinate services for child abuse victims and their families. The creators envisioned a center where intervention and prevention would work together toward the best interests of the children in LaPorte County. Dunebrook was to be a child centered, safe place devoted to nurturing families and protecting children. Nurturing families, helping parents and advocating for children have become Dunebrook's greatest strengths.

Dunebrook works collaboratively with many agencies to provide parenting education and support programs. Many of the programs are offered in a home visitation model providing family support through Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers, Community Partners and so much more while others are offered at Dunebrook or at school sites, libraries, churches and other places in the community. The Nurturing Parenting Program is an example of a site-based program.  Helping families prepare their children for success by six or by the time they enter school is a hallmark of Dunebrook’s services.  Community Partners adds the ability to provide support where it is needed regardless of the ages of the children.  Meeting our vision of every child safe, healthy and happy is what Dunebrook is all about.

In addition to providing family support, Dunebrook offers primary prevention programs as well.  This website, by providing information about a multitude of issues impacting families, is one example.  You will find many links to other sites as well as identification of reading materials on a variety of issues.  Dunebrook has always worked collaboratively with other agencies toward the best interests of children.

Participating in community events, talking about Shaken Infant Syndrome, co-hosting an annual training event and dinner, participating in a community vigil and raising community awareness through billboards and use of the media are all ways that Dunebrook advocates for children. Helping people recognize abuse and neglect and understand their need to report is included in the information that Dunebrook provides.

Dunebrook has come a long way since 1989 reaching hundreds of families with our direct services and thousands more indirectly. It has grown from simply serving families in LaPorte County to overseeing prevention services in six counties in Northwest Indiana as well as being the state leader for Parents as Teachers in Indiana and reaching out across the web with parent support information.  Over 400,000 families have received Dunebrook services during the past twenty years not including our primary education services.

I hope you find this site helpful.  Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Best Regards,

Diana Dibkey

Executive Director