A child abuse prevention program has created a new piece of technology to ensure children, and adults in domestic violence situations, can call for help anytime they may need it. “It was just this year; we've had requests over and over. We need something outside the home, we need something to upgrade our technology,” said Tracy Walnoha, executive director of Watchful Shepherd. “We continued to look for something that could be worn or utilized outside of the home, and we found these new mobile security devices, an SOS type device.” The Watchful Shepherd is a Pennsylvania child abuse prevention program that’s been creating safety devices for decades. Walnoha said a man named Joe Femiani started the program nearly 30 years ago, and created an in-home unit for families. The in-home unit has a 'help' button and can connect a victim to a 911 center in seconds.“It was based on a security alarm system, they’re modeled after the ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ for elderly patients, but they’re a security alarm for children and families,” Walnoha said.Within the last year, the organization has created SOS devices, disguised as jewelry, so victims can receive help with the push of a button. “The device, with a double click, you in mode 1 would be able to contact up to five of your contacts, your people. In mode 2, you'd have the ability to contact those people as well as a call center that could notify 911 for you," Walnoha said.The Watchful Shepherd has partnered with other domestic violence organizations such as the Domestic Violence Services of South Western Pennsylvania (DVSSP) to help distribute the jewelry pieces to those in need. “These jewelry devices are just another tool we have in our toolbox to be able to help survivors of domestic violence and child abuse and to help bring them peace and safety,” said Leslie Orbin, with DVSSP. “From what we've heard from clients, these devices are in the home, the adults not only feel safer but the children feel safer. They're sleeping better and feeling more secure and safe in their home because they know there's an easy way for them to get help when they need it.” The Watchful Shepherd added that the devices can also be used in other emergency situations:“A child in one of the counties well east of here, a 4-year-old, hit the button because an older sibling had overdosed,” Walnoha told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. “She saved that sibling's life. These units they work, and they have the ability to help families regardless of how they're being used.”The devices are free to families if there are children involved in a situation, and the family is being assisted by an agency. Anyone in need of help can contact the DVSSP 24/7 hotline at 1-800-791-4000. The DVSSP said there are trained advocates that will answer the line and connect services to friends and family members of a victim, or the victims themselves.