YAKIMA, WASH. — Law enforcement brass will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 27 to raise awareness about the connection between child abuse and neglect and juvenile crime. Yakima Chief of Police Sam Granato and Sheriff Ken Irwin will release a report showing that thousands of Washington kids become victims of child abuse and neglect every year.
The report will also show that voluntary home visiting programs can cut child abuse and neglect by half and significantly reduce later crime. Chief Granato and Sheriff Irwin will call on state lawmakers and the Governor to continue Washington’s investment in voluntary home-visiting and pursue new federal funding for these services as an effective way to curb child abuse and improve public safety.

WHO: Yakima Chief of Police Sam Granato
Yakima County Sheriff Ken Irwin
Laura Wells, FIGHT CRIME: INVEST IN KIDS Washington Director
Diane Patterson, Children’s Village Director
Teresa White, Registered Nurse and Home Visitor

WHAT: News Conference

WHEN: 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 27, 2010

WHERE: Children’s Village
3801 Kern Way
Yakima, WA
Phone: (509) 574-3200

VISUALS: Law enforcement in uniform

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“We are honored to be recognized by ASGE for our efforts to enhance quality and safety in our endoscopy unit,” said Ken Eakin, practice administrator at Yakima Gastroenterology.

The ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition program honors endoscopy units that follow the ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance, endoscopy reprocessing and CDC infection control guidelines and have completed specialized training on principles in quality and safety in endoscopy.

Kelly Valentine RN, Nurse Manager at YGA says the designation should give patients peace of mind. “The program course on improving quality and safety provided us with valuable knowledge to continue to give our patients the safest and best care possible.”

About the Program
To successfully complete the program and receive a Certificate of Recognition, a center must show proof of successful and current accreditation by a recognized accrediting body (AAAHC, Joint Commission); sign an attestation affirming that certain ASGE and CDC guidelines are adopted as minimum requirements of the unit policy; and have a representative of the unit complete the ASGE Recognition Course, “Improving Quality and Safety In Your Endoscopy Unit.” The Certificate of Recognition award is granted for a three-year renewable period.

The program is applicable to all settings in the United States where endoscopy is practiced, including office-based endoscopy units, hospital-based endoscopy units, and stand-alone ambulatory endoscopy or surgery centers.

Yakima Gastroenterology Associates started in Yakima in 2001 by a group of doctors who wanted to create a more intensely specialized place where residents of the Yakima Valley and surrounding communities could come for gastrointestinal issues. It is a member of Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital’s family of services. YGA is located at 3909 Creekside Loop in Yakima.