Blue Ribbon Campaign to 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 29 , readers will find a 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 2017 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 six community partners for their outstanding commitment to preventing child abuse in Central Oregon, as our 2017 Prevention Partners of the Year! Each has dedicated valuable resources and time to learn how to better protect children, as well as provide concrete support for families in crisis. The following organizations have been selected: Struble Orthodontics, Westside Church, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Larson Learning Center, Let’s Talk Diversity Coalition, and Madras Safeway. Congratulations for your outstanding work in preventing child abuse!
A number of special events are scheduled for the month of April and are outlined below. 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, East Bend Dental, Selco Community Credit Union
April Community Events 2017
After Hours Open House
April 6 , Thursday , 5:30-7pm- 430 NW 4 th St. Prineville
Come by MountarStar Prineville for an After Hours Open House. You can explore our therapeutic classroom, hear about MountainStar’s efforts on behalf of local families and learn how you can help!
Free Movie Event
April 8, 9am The Pine Theater Prineville
Movie: Sing
Children and their caregivers are invited to this free movie event hosted by For The Children: Crook County’s child abuse prevention team. Attendees will receive information on local child abuse prevention resources and tools. Please call 541-788-5556 for more information.
Coffee Cuppers
April 14 , Friday , 7:30-8:30am- 122 NE 10 th St. Madras
Stop by MountainStar for Coffee Cuppers to take a short tour of our therapeutic classroom, hear about MountainStar’s efforts on behalf of local families, and learn how you can help.
Let’s Talk About It
April 18 , Tuesday (English and Spanish) 5-5:30pm dinner, 5:30-7:30pm training- MountainStar Bend
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.
Food and childcare provided. MUST RSVP by April 10 . Please call 541-306-6062 to sign up.
Spark! Kindling A Community Conversation in Child Abuse Prevention Month
April 20th at the Riverhouse
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. Coordinated by United Way.
Limited spots available. Sign up at mtstar.org/april
Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children®
Adults receive tools for recognizing the signs of sexual abuse and responding to suspicions. They also learn simple ways to minimize opportunities for abuse in organizations and in our community. More than 10,000 adults have been trained in Central Oregon over the last 11 years. Sign up at kidscenter.org
Bend – Held at KIDS Center
April 11, 10am -1pm, Tuesday (English)
April 19 , 5:30-8:30pm, Tuesday (Spanish)
April 27 , 6-9pm, Thursday (English)
May 15 , 5:30-8:30pm, Monday (English)
Prineville- Held at Crook County Library
April 10 , 3-6pm, Monday (Spanish)
April 25 , 4-7pm, Tuesday (English)
Madras- Held at Jefferson County Health Department
April 4 , 5-8pm, Tuesday (Spanish)
April 13 , 5-8pm, Thursday (English)
“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! Sign up for a tour or to donate, visit mtstar.org.
Bend- April 12 , Wednesday 8-9:15am
Bend- April 18 , Tuesday 4-5:15pm
Madras- 2 nd Wednesday of every month 11:15am-12:15pm
Prineville- 2 nd Wednesday of every month 4-5:15pm
Tour of KIDS Center
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. Sign up at kidscenter.org or contact Joni at KIDS Center 541-306-6063 for more information.
April 20 , Thursday 5-6pm
May 5 , Friday 12-1pm
Internet Safety
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. Sign up at kidscenter.org.
Bend -Held at KIDS Center
April 21 , 12:30-2:30pm Friday
May 11 , 5-7pm, Thursday
