KIDS Center, MountainStar mark Child Abuse Prevention Month
KIDS Center (Kids Intervention and Diagnostic Service Center) and MountainStar Family Relief Nursery will kick off the Blue Ribbon Campaign on April 1. The Blue Ribbon Campaign coincides with April’s “National Child Abuse Prevention Month.”
The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in 1989 as one woman’s tribute to her grandson when she tied a blue ribbon on her car antenna to symbolize his bruises, after he died at the hands of his mother’s abusive partner. This campaign was brought to Central Oregon in 1997 to raise awareness of the epidemic of child abuse in our community.
In addition to awareness, the Blue Ribbon Campaign also focuses on educating individuals and groups on how to better protect children in their lives, as well as our community from child abuse.
Almost 50,000 blue ribbons along with educational materials and posters will be distributed throughout the community in April. People are encouraged to wear a blue ribbon to show support for the awareness and prevention of child abuse.
Inside The Bulletin on Wednesday, March 30, readers will find a special Blue Ribbon newsletter, a calendar of Blue Ribbon events and a wearable blue ribbon. There will also be several Blue Ribbon Trees decorated around Central Oregon.
As part of our 2016 Blue Ribbon Campaign, we are asking adults to “Speak Up and Save a Child.” It is a call for the adult community to take an active role in protecting the children of Central Oregon. By simply taking a child abuse prevention training, adults raise awareness of child abuse in our community and create a safer environment for all children.
KIDS Center and MountainStar have the honor to award five community partners for their outstanding commitment to preventing child abuse in Central Oregon, as our 2016 Prevention Partners of the Year! Through the training of staff, volunteers and students, each of these groups have dedicated valuable resources and time to create a safer community for children.
The following organizations have been selected: Healthy Families of the High Desert, Family Resource Center, Father’s House, Best Care and Crook County School District. Congratulations for your outstanding work in preventing child abuse!
A number of special events are scheduled for the month of April and are outlined on the following page. For more information about the Blue Ribbon Campaign, child abuse prevention and other events in April, visit kidscenter.org or mtstar.org/april.
Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Bend Broadband, Bend Garbage & Recycling, Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co., Selco Credit Union
April Community Events 2016
Classroom Simulation: Emotional Support in the Classroom
April 6: 6-7:30pm at MountainStar
This workshop is for anyone who works with children in a classroom environment to learn ways to meet the emotional needs of children who may have suffered trauma. Learn strategies for helping children feel comfortable in a classroom environment with hands on role-play. This workshop, led by Cherie Skillings, LPC, MountainStar’s staff mental health specialist, meets the criteria for a set two training on the Oregon Registry.
Sign up at mtstar.org/april
Spark! Kindling A Community Conversation in Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 27: Doors open at 5, Program 5:30-7:30pm at Deschutes Brewery Tap Room
Spark conversation. Spark enthusiasm. Spark action. Spark change. That’s what we are doing this April! Come join in the conversation to examine challenges families face and the resulting impact for our community. Community members are invited to dig into this conversation and explore solutions for strengthening families and building healthier communities.
Limited spots available. Sign up at mtstar.org/april
New and Improved! Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children
This newly revised interactive training program provides participants with 5 steps to better protect children from sexual abuse. Adults receive tools for recognizing the signs of sexual abuse, responding to suspicions and gives simple ways to minimize opportunities for abuse in organizations and in our community. It is recommended that this training be taken every three years.
Bend Trainings- Held at KIDS Center
Friday, April 15, 10-1pm
Monday, April 25, 6-9pm
Prineville-
Thursday, April 14, 5:30-8:30pm (Spanish) at MountainStar (430 NW 4 th St.)
Wednesday, April 20, 5-8pm at Family Resource Building
Madras-
Wednesday, April 6, 5:30-8:30pm at Jefferson County Health Department
Thursday, April 21, 5:30-8:30pm (Spanish) at MountainStar (122 NE 10 th St)
Internet Safety
Bend Trainings- Held at KIDS Center
Tuesday, April 12 6-8pm; Thursday, May 19, 1-3pm
KIDS Center offers a training to help parents and caregivers become aware of the dangers that exist for children online. Participants learn tips on how to talk to children about using the Internet safely and steps families can take to better protect children online.
Let’s Talk About It
Bend Training- Held at KIDS Center
Wednesday, April 20, 1-3pm
During this training, participants learn what is developmentally appropriate sexual behavior in children 2-7 years old. Adults learn how to start the conversation about sexual abuse, body safety and how to appropriately respond to sexual behaviors in children.
“MountainStar 101” Tours
These tours are meant to show community members what it takes to prevent child abuse in Central Oregon. Come and learn how MountainStar decreases the risk of abuse in families by 70% in just six months, why we focus on babies and toddlers, and how you can help!
Dates
April 13 8-9:15am (Bend)
April 13 11:15am-12:30pm (Madras)
April 13 4-5:15pm (Prineville)
April 19 4-5:15pm (Bend)
Tour of KIDS Center
Thursday, April 21, 5-6pm
Spend one hour learning about KIDS Center during our in-depth facility tour. You will have a chance to see it through a child’s eyes and meet some of our wonderful staff who evaluate and interview the children that visit. See some of the therapy practices we use first-hand and understand how we help over 600 children annually. Contact Joni at KIDS Center 541-306-6063 for more information.
