News & Events

VIRGINIA BAKER-JEFFCOAT RECEIVES THE PARTNER IN PREVENTION AWARD BY DARKNESS TO LIGHT

May 3, 2021

Decatur, GA-At IGNITE 2021, Darkness to Light’s virtual National Prevention Conference, Virginia Baker-Jeffcoat, a native of Toccoa, was awarded the Partner in Prevention Award!! The Partner in Prevention Distinction is a special one that requires Authorized Facilitators to challenge organizations to prioritize child protection and take the necessary steps to make it happen. Virginia’s innovative model of training adults in non-conventional settings (Barbershop and Beauty Salons) in the research-based Stewards of Children did not go unnoticed by Darkness to Light. Stewards of Children, an evidence-informed training, teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Virginia has trained over 1200 adults since becoming an authorized facilitator 13 years ago and is featured as an expert in the field in the video series.

Virginia honored the legacy of the late George Edward Brown in accepting her award. George founded Heroes in Action, Inc., (a non-profit in Snellville, GA.) and was a barber. Heroes in Action received a grant from the State of Hope (GA. Division of Family and Children Services) to fund the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Initiative which was coordinated by Virginia.

Virginia, an advocate for children, is the Owner/Lead Consultant at VB Consulting Group, LLC a training and technical assistance firm in Decatur, GA. Virginia has worked tirelessly on behalf of children and their families for over 30 years. She is a member of the Strengthening Families Georgia Leadership Team, a Strengthening Families Georgia Trainer, a Connections Matter (trauma-informed care) Certified Facilitator, Board Chair for the DeKalb Initiative for Children and Families as well as an advanced State Approved Trainer for Early Childhood Educators.

Virginia is the daughter of Helen Baker Prather and the late Bobby Baker. She resides in Decatur, GA with her husband David Jeffcoat.

Feel free to reach out to Virginia to support your child protection efforts at vbconsulting@bellsouth.net