‘Keep kids safe, help them thrive’: CO nonprofits spotlight National Child Abuse Prevention Month

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) --  As we marked the start of April on Monday, we also note the beginning of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Nonprofits in Central Oregon are ready to spread the word with a Blue Ribbon Campaign and various events and activities. 

"Our whole purpose here is not just to keep kids safe, but to help them thrive," Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon Program Manager Kelley Lyons said Monday.

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery Executive Director Kara Tachikawa said, "Preventing child abuse and neglect leads to positive outcomes over a child's whole entire life. They go on to have higher educational achievement, they get better jobs."

MountainStar works to prevent abuse by working with families by getting them the resources they need, as well as providing a safe space for children to play. 

The most common case of abuse the organization sees is children experiencing neglect, where needs are not being met, emotionally or developmentally. 

KIDS Center in Bend shares the same prevention mission, working to provide therapy with kids who have been abused. The organization primarily sees children in sexual abuse and physical abuse cases. 

Last year, KIDS Center performed more than 400 evaluations of children experiencing specifically those two traumas. 

Prevention Education Manager Rachel Visser said, "National statistics is that one in seven kids will experience child abuse (or) neglect within a year."

At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Oregon, the nonprofit works to keep kids safe by taking precautions with incoming mentors. The organization helps more than 200 kids a year. 

Lyons said, "That includes a full criminal background check, and a DMV report, (and) also includes references that will reach out to employers or coworkers, spouses, partners, neighbors - anyone that feels relevant to that volunteer."

KIDS Center and MountainStar are teaming up for the annual Blue Ribbon Campaign that will kick off with three child-friendly events, starting Thursday.

Tachikawa said the "'Communities for Kids' event happens at one place in each county across our tri-county region, and that is where MountainStar and KIDS Center come together with several different partners that work with children and families and have a resource fair and an info session and just a fun day for kids and families to participate in."

To help keep children safe, during the Blue Ribbon Campaign, you can take part in prevention training and special activities.