April’s Blue Ribbon Campaign puts Central Oregon focus on preventing child abuse, keeping kids safe
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Now in its 19th year, Central Oregon’s Blue Ribbon Campaign highlights the issue of child abuse and the community’s role in keeping children safe.
KIDS Center and MountainStar Family Relief Nursery organize this annual event, presented by SELCO Community Credit Union and supported by these sponsors: The Bulletin, Central Oregon Daily, Central Oregon Pediatric Associates, East Bend Dental, Les Schwab Tires, and The Desert Pine Group at Morgan Stanley.
KIDS Center and MountainStar are launching a regionwide child abuse prevention website, protectkidsco.org, Monday.
This website is “a resource of resources,” according to Rachel Visser, KIDS Center’s Prevention Education Manager. Families can find local resources by county, along with information on how to prevent abuse.
“We hope it is an easy resource that brings relief and support to families across our community,” shares Staley Micken, MountainStar’s Development Director.
Free “Communities for Kids” events are planned for the Warm Springs community and Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties in April. All are welcome to these family-friendly events featuring free food, activities, and raffle prizes. “Communities for Kids” events bring together local nonprofits in support of children and families. These events are designed to help connect families with community resources.
Local businesses and nonprofits across Central Oregon are handing out “Prevent Child Abuse” wristbands in April. More than 5,000 Blue Ribbon wristbands have been distributed to community partners this year.
To raise community awareness, volunteers are putting up Blue Ribbon installations—featuring hundreds of blue pinwheels—on Friday, March 29 at the Madras City Hall and in Prineville in front of the old police department on Third Street.
KIDS Center and MountainStar are also honoring their Prevention Partners of the Year for Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties. These local businesses and organizations have made a special commitment to protecting children—by training staff in child safety, creating family-friendly policies, and supporting prevention efforts through sponsorship, volunteering, and more.
This year’s Prevention Partners of the Year are NeighborImpact, Heart of Oregon, Kindred Connections, Cascade School of Music, Meta Prineville Data Center, and Warm Springs K-8 Academy.
About KIDS Center: Built by the community in 1994, KIDS Center is a local non-profit leading our region's response to child abuse. KIDS Center is where hope and healing begins for children and families who have experienced abuse. KIDS Center provides independent child abuse evaluations, therapy and family advocacy—at no cost to families.
Information about KIDS Center can be found at: kidscenter.org or by calling, (541) 383-5958. Anyone with a concern about a child’s safety can call the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline at: 1-855-503-SAFE (7233).
About MountainStar:
MountainStar Family Relief Nursery prevents child abuse and neglect through community support and therapeutic services that help vulnerable children and families succeed. MountainStar is the only program in Deschutes, Jefferson, and Crook Counties providing therapeutic classrooms, parenting education services, and family support targeted at protecting babies and toddlers who are at significant risk of abuse and neglect.
Information about MountainStar can be found at mtstar.org or by calling 541-322-6820.
