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Urban League Of Miami Works To Break The Cycle Of Child Abuse

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A new program designed to prevent child abuse and neglect in Miami's African-American communities will be launched Thursday.

In response to a series of scandals involving failure to address child abuse in the home of South Florida families and guardians, the Urban League of Greater Miami has partnered with the Florida Department of Children and Families to directly confront the issue of child abuse and neglect.

Child welfare officials are hoping to target teen parents, young people who are "aging out" of foster care and at-risk families through their new media campaign called "Breaking the Cycle Initiative."

The pilot program, funded by DCF, will also include parent education classes, support groups and community forums.

The goal of the "Breaking the Cycle Initiative" is to increase community awareness about child abuse and neglect and to create programs that give parents strategies to keep their children safe.

DCF Secretary David Wilkins is scheduled to announce the campaign Thursday in Miami at the Urban League's Freedom Hall, located at 8400 NW 25th Avenue.

Others attending Thursday's news conference include T. Willard Fair of the Urban League of Greater Miami and other local politicians, police officials and school board members.

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