Right Column
Prevention Magazine Article
Each year, April is designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child Abuse Prevention Councils and volunteers concerned with preventing child abuse throughout California plan a variety of educational and family activities as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is never too early to start planning for next year's Prevention Month. Look at the article below about the activities held in 2001 for ideas. For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Month, go to the Child Abuse Prevention Initiative Web Site To find the Child Abuse Prevention Council nearest to you, visit the Child Abuse Training and Technical Assistance (CATTA) Centers' Searchable Database of Child Abuse Prevention Organizations.
Child Abuse Prevention Councils (CAPCs) throughout the state are working hard to ensure a strong showing for Child Abuse Prevention Month this April. Many have come up with creative ways to spread the word about child abuse prevention and to provide resources to families.
Several Councils are holding daytime outdoor events to bring families together to learn about community resources and healthy parenting ideas. The CAPC of San Joaquin County will increase awareness on how to provide the best physical and mental health care for children through a day-long event entitled "Nurture Your Child." At this event, over 1,200 parents and their children will take part in a health fair providing resources on children's health issues, parenting education, and childcare. The event will include a youth soccer shoot out, conducted by the local youth soccer organization, musical entertainment, and food.
To promote the theme of family unity, the Madera County CAPC is holding three "Family Fun Day" events throughout the county to target over 4,000 people from different populations. These events will have entertainment, food, and carnivals with games that incorporate information about child abuse prevention. Thumb printing, immunizations, and health screening will be provided along with information about child safety and community resources. The San Bernardino CAPC is also repeating its "Family Celebration" event at three different regional parks. These events will attract over 10,000 people, providing free food, entertainment, and family fun.
The Colusa County CAPC is providing a "Children's Faire" for over 800 attendees. The four Councils in Riverside County are sponsoring "Week of the Young Child" events for children, ages 0 to 5 and their families. The events will provide information, resources, and hands-on activities.
Councils also find that Prevention Month is an excellent time to recognize the contributions that community members make in the campaign against child abuse. The four Councils in Riverside County will each designate a person, organization, or business that has shown leadership in the child abuse prevention arena to receive its Creating Hope Award and be honored at a special luncheon. The Alpine Children's Center's dinner, "Make Rainbows in the Lives of Children" honors those that prevent child abuse, and the Kern County CAPC shows appreciation for those who make a difference in their community through its "Community Reception and Awards Ceremony."
The San Bernardino County CAPC is hosting its 3rd annual "Shine a Light on Child Abuse" breakfast for over 300 attendees to honor those who work with abused children. The Center for Child Abuse Prevention in San Mateo County is holding a reception to honor city government officials for their prevention efforts and the Colusa County CAPC is providing an omelet brunch for 600 community members.
Other Councils are planning Prevention Month activities to provide education for child abuse prevention and treatment professionals. The San Luis Obispo CAPC is emphasizing the need to have fully trained mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect by holding a day-long Saturday training with "breakout" sessions for church workers, educators and school staff, and for those who work with children with special needs.
All four Riverside County Councils are working together to hold their 28th Annual Children's Conference in April. This two-day conference will focus on the theme of "Teaming Up For Children." Tuolumne County Child Welfare Services is hosting a Child Abuse Prevention Round Table Luncheon to facilitate discussion of prevention and intervention efforts with over 75 attendees. The Kern County Council is planning a conference to address techniques for working with children involved in abuse and neglect.
Councils are also getting the word out through the mass distribution of promotional and educational materials. The Center for Abuse Prevention in San Mateo County is publishing a calendar that will list and promote all prevention activities in the area. Due to the efforts of the CAPC of Contra Costa County, Longs Drug Stores will again print prevention information on its bags. The Contra Costa Council is also distributing 20,000 bookmarks with prevention information to schools. The Kern and Riverside Councils are distributing blue ribbons and resource cards, and the San Bernardino CAPC is distributing over 90,000 prevention materials to schools and throughout the community.
Due to the dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members involved in Child Abuse Prevention Councils across the state, Child Abuse Prevention Month will effectively heighten awareness and knowledge about child abuse prevention, and will make a difference in the lives of California's children. Thank you for your hard work and creative energy!