Child Abuse Prevention Month events set

KIDS Center (Kids Intervention and Diagnostic Service Center), a non-profit child abuse intervention center serving all of Central Oregon, cares for victims of child abuse every day, including over 890 children in 2012. Dedicated equally to the prevention of child abuse, KIDS Center again kicks off the Blue Ribbon Campaign this April. 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. KIDS Center brought the campaign 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 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 Monday, March 25, readers will find a special KIDS Center prevention newsletter, a calendar of Blue Ribbon events and a wearable blue ribbon. There will also be several Blue Ribbon Trees decorated around Central Oregon.
A number of special events are scheduled for the month of April, including the annual Blue Ribbon Campaign Opening Ceremony to kick-off the campaign, are outlined on the following page. For more information about the Blue Ribbon Campaign, child abuse prevention and other events in April, visit www.kidscenter.org or call 541-383-5958.

Title Sponsor: BendBroadband/ Blue Ribbon Sponsor: US Bank/ Supporting Sponsors: American Licorice Company, Bend Garbage & Recycling, Dr. David A. Fuller and Dr. Blake Drew, JAD Benefit Solutions, SELCO Community Credit Union

April Community Events 2013

Come to our Blue Ribbon Opening Ceremony!!
Friday, April 5, 5:15 pm – 6:15 pm
Boys and Girls 500 NW Wall Street Bend, Oregon
Join us and show your outward support as we kick off the annual Blue Ribbon Campaign to Prevent Child Abuse. Enjoy free food, inspirational words, music by the Bend Children’s Choir and presentation of our “Prevention Partner of the Year” awards.

Blue Ribbon Sunday
Sunday, April 8
Join your local faith community in highlighting the issue of child abuse in Central Oregon. Through reflection and action, another step can be taken in the prevention of child abuse. To learn more about Blue Ribbon Sunday or to request blue ribbons, contact Kim Bohme at KIDS Center 541-383-5958.

Tour of KIDS Center
Tuesday April 2nd 5-6pm and Friday April 19th 12-1pm
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 541-383-5958 for more information.

Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children
Bend Trainings- Held at KIDS Center
Tuesday April 9, 6-9pm; Saturday April 20, 9am-12pm; Monday April 29, 9am-12pm
Prineville Training- Held at Family Resource Center
Tuesday April 23, 5:30-8:30pm
Madras Training- Held at Westside Community School
Spanish- Monday April 8, 5-8pm
Madras Training- Held at Madras DHS
Wednesday April 17, 1:30-4:30pm
This three-hour interactive training program provides participants with 7 steps to better protect children from sexual abuse. It gives adults tools for recognizing the signs of sexual abuse, responding to suspicions and gives simple ways to minimize opportunities for abuse in organizations in our community. This training costs $20 per person to cover the cost of materials and scholarships are available.

Internet Safety
Bend Trainings- Held at KIDS Center
Thursday, April 11, 6-8pm; Tuesday, April 23, 2-4pm
Prineville Training- Held at Mosaic Medical’s Conference Room
Tuesday April 23, 2-4pm
By attending this training parents and caregivers will become aware of the dangers that exist online and will walk away with tips on how to talk to children about using the Internet safely and steps families can take to better protect their children online. This training cost $10 per person and scholarships are available.

NEW!! Let’s Talk About It
Monday, April 22, 1-3pm
KIDS Center now offers a training called Let’s Talk About It. This training will focus on teaching adults what is developmentally appropriate sexual behavior for children 2-7 years old in age. Participants will walk away knowing how talk to their children about their bodies (including healthy body boundaries) and how to identify and respond appropriately to sexual behaviors displayed by in children. Training costs are $10 per person and scholarships are available.