Support Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
A message from the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa
A message from the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa
Raise awareness of child abuse.
Get to know your neighbors.
Offer support to a stressed out parent.
Make a donation to your local child abuse prevention program.
It only takes a minute to make a difference in the life of a child.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April
US Dept. of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families
Proclamations from mayors, governors and the President of the United States declare April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Click here for more information about local to National proclamations
To report suspected child abuse call your local police department.
Dial 211 for social services in your area.
Go to www.hhs.org for tips for Children and Families
What Local Service Clubs are Doing to Help Non-profit Organizations Prevent Child Abuse
About Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken baby syndrome is a type of inflicted traumatic brain injury that happens when a baby is violently shaken and often results in death.
Shaken Baby Simulator Dolls reduce deaths by 80% by teaching parents how fragile their babies are. A program initiated by Dr. Angela Rosas from the Sutter Health group in conjunction with the University of California, Kaiser and the Catholic Health group has shown that deaths from Shaken Baby Syndrome dropped by 80% after the initiation of the educational program.
Walnut Creek Service Club helps Child Abuse Prevention
Pictured from left to right are Marty Larsen President of Rotary Club of Walnut Creek, Carol Carillo, MSW Executive Director of Child Abuse Prevention Council of Contra Costa County and Nina (Christy) Devoe, Past Director, Rotary Club of Walnut Creek, presenting the infant simulator doll to CAPC of CoCo.
Rotary International Service Clubs in District 5160 have been purchasing infant simulator dolls for various non-profit organizations throughout the Northern California region to aid in Child Abuse Prevention Training.
The Rotary of Walnut Creek Clubis one of several clubs in the district that has donatd an infant simulator doll for a local non-profit organizatin the Walnut Creek club was chartered on April 7, 1937, as the 4,191st Club worldwide and the second in Contra Costa County, CA. They are celebrating 75th anniversary of service to their community this April.
Executive Director, Carol Carillo says "The mission of the Child Abuse Prevention Council is to promote the safety of children and prevent child abuse and neglect by raising community awareness, influencing public policy, educating our community and providing resources and support services to families. The Shaken Baby Doll is an important tool for CAPC to use as we strive to protect children and support families across the county. "
The Shaken Baby Doll donated by Rotary Club of Walnut Creek is being used by CAPC of CoCo's Nurturing Parenting Connection home visitation program. The staff provides home visitation parent education services to new parents that are identified as high risk and in need of support. Many of the parents they serve have infants in the home. The doll is used in the home to educate parents about the risk of shaking their infant.
CAPC also works with parents providing alternatives to corporal punishment, anger management and on enhancing their parenting skills. Their work is focused on child abuse prevention and on breaking the cycle of child abuse in families.
What Businesses are Doing to Increase Awareness and Benefit Local Child Abuse Prevention Programs
IHOP Donates and Creates Interactive Children's Art Display
Walnut Creek IHOP store manager, Angela Fudge, has been actively involved in the community of Walnut Creek, since the opening of their new location. She is an innovator, partnering with Building Bridges and other IHOP managers, to help raise awareness about Child Abuse Prevention and benefit local non-profit agencies that provide services. Her restaurant is donating a percentage of regularly priced meals sold on Friday April 27th to Child Abuse Prevention awareness and programs in Contra Costa County.
Other IHOP restaurants are joining the cause in their own communities. All particpating IHOPs are giving chlidren at their restaurants, an opportunity to create art that will become a part of a Child Abuse Prevention Month display on in their locations on April 27th. Check this website for participating locations April Activities and Participating Locations.
Family Counseling Helps Prevent Child Abuse
A message from the Family Service Agency of the Central Coast
When adults are stressed out because of personal or relational issues, economic stressors, substance abuse or childhood experiences of abuse, they are more at risk to either abuse or be abused. Research shows that abuse is intergenerational. Child victims of abuse can grow up to become abusers or to feel powerless to recognize and stop abuse happening around them. Breaking the intergenerational link can help reduce the incidence of child abuse.
People have the power to change the direction of their lives. Adults can learn new coping skills to deal with stress and learn alternative parenting skills. Prevention is a family and community issue. Breaking the cycle of violence happens through education and support. Children who are in counseling programs can also develop a trusting relationship with an adult to whom they can confide any abuse that might be happening in the family. Counselors know what resources are available to help these children.
Family Service Agency's Counseling Services offer prevention skills to families who are at risk for child abuse. FSA's services are designed to maintain and strengthen family and community life and to reduce the incidence of child abuse. FSA interfaces with other community agencies and with the goal of providing high risk families new ways of parenting and helping those who have been abused themselves to resolve their experiences of childhood abuse, so that healing can take place.