KIDS Center ‘Blue Ribbon Campaign’ coming up

KIDS Center is excited to announce The Blue Ribbon Campaign in Central Oregon starting April 1st.

Bonnie Finney of Virginia started the Blue Ribbon campaign in the spring of 1989 in memory of her grandson, Michael Dickenson. The three-year-old died at the hands of her daughter’s abusive boyfriend. Bonnie tied a blue ribbon to her car symbolizing the blue of her grandson’s bruises and encouraged her community to do the same. 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 get a blue ribbon from local businesses and wear it to show support for the awareness and prevention of child abuse.

Inside The Bulletin on Monday, March 31, readers will find a Blue Ribbon newsletter, including a list of Blue Ribbon events and a separate envelope that contains a blue ribbon to wear during the month of April.

KIDS Center is excited to honor four community partners for their outstanding commitment to child abuse prevention in Central Oregon. The following organizations will be recognized at KIDS Centers Healing Hearts events: Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington, Buckingham Elementary, Umpqua Bank, and For The Children of Crook County.

A number of events are scheduled during the month of April 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.
KIDS Center (Kids Intervention and Diagnostic Service Center), a non-profit child abuse intervention center serving all of Central Oregon, served over 1,637 children and families in 2013. KIDS Center is dedicated to the prevention, evaluation and treatment of child abuse.

The Central Oregon Blue Ribbon Campaign is sponsored by American Licorice, Barre3 and Sounds Fast.

April Community Events 2014
Hands Around the Courthouse
Tuesday April 1, 12-1pm
Jefferson county Courthouse, Madras
Join us in recognizing of both Child Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault Awareness month in April. Each year community partners gather at the courthouse to join hands around the courthouse displaying teal and blue ribbon representing each cause. Proclamations for both awareness campaigns are read by community leader and a light lunch is served.
Tour of KIDS Center
Friday April 18, 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 1637 children children and families in 2014. Contact Joni at KIDS Center 541-383-5958 for more information.
Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children
Bend Trainings
Tuesday April 8, 6-8pm; Monday April 21, 10am-12pm
Prineville Training
Tuesday April 22, 5:30-8:00pm
Madras Training
Monday April 23, 5-8pm
This interactive training program provides participants with 5 steps to better protect children from sexual abuse. It gives adults tools for recognizing the signs of sexual abuse and responding to suspicious behaviors. The course gives simple ways to minimize opportunities for abuse in organizations in our community. Cost is $20 per person and scholarships are available. Visit kidscenter.org to sign up.
Internet Safety
Bend Trainings
Friday April 11, 1-3pm; Wednesday April 16, 6-8pm
Prineville Training
Tuesday April 15, 3:30-5:30pm
Madras Training
Wednesday May 21, 5-7pm
This two-hour training helps parents and caregivers become aware of online dangers to children. Participants learn tips on how to talk to children using the Internet safely and steps families can take to better protect their children online. Cost is $10 per person and scholarships are available. Visit kidscenter.org to sign up.
Let’s Talk About It
Bend Training
Thursday April 24, 6-8pm
This training focuses on teaching adults what is developmentally appropriate sexual behaviours for children 2-7 years old. Participants learn how to talk to their children about their bodies (including healthy body boundaries) and how to identify and respond appropriately to various sexual behaviors displayed by children. This training is idea for adults with children of all ages. Cost is $10 per person and scholarships are available. Visit kidscenter.org to sign up.
Public and Permanent™: Prevent Sexting, Cyber Bullying and Beyond!
Do you want to learn how to prevent digital issues like sexting, cyber bullying, irresponsible use of apps, poor social media behaviors, sexual exploitation and more from happening to your family?
KIDS Center and BendBroadband have partnered to bring the multi-award winning program, Public and Permanent™, is coming to Central Oregon! Attendees will receive a greater awareness of negative, irresponsible and malicious digital behaviors and learn how to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of a cyber-crime, cyber bullying and digital exploration.
Richard Guerry, from the Institute for Responsible Online and Cell-Phone Communication (IROC2), is the author of multiple cyber safety and citizenship books and has been a featured speaker at numerous national conferences. Appearances include speaking at the National Symposium of Child Abuse and the National Conference on Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention as well as being an expert on CNN and MTV’s Thin Line Campaign.
This training is appropriate for ages 12 and up.
You can also register and pay online at kidscenter.org.
If you have questions or need more information please contact Kim at 541-383-5958.
Bend
Date: April 29 (Tuesday)
Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm, Program runs 6-8pm
Location: Bend Senior High School- Auditorium 230 NE 6th St. Bend, OR 97701
Cost: $5 per adult and children are free! Proceeds benefit KIDS Center
Presented by BendBroadband in partnership with KIDS Center.
To sign up the Bend event- kidscenter.org.
Prineville
Date: April 30th (Wednesday)
Time: Doors open at 5:30 pm, Program runs 6-8pm
Location: COCC- Crook County Open Campus 510 SE Lynn Blvd. Prineville OR
Cost: FREE for adults and their children
Attendees are encouraged to bring donations of non-perishable food to be donated to “Food 4 Kids” weekend backpack program of Crook County.
Sponsored by For the Children and BendBroadband in partnership with KIDS Center.
To sign up the Prineville event- kidscenter.org.