Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. In honor of this month and in an effort to keep kids safe, BCCS is planning to host a variety of events throughout the month, which will help to raise awareness about child abuse and prevention. This is an opportunity for BCCS to educate our staff and clients about the dangers of child abuse and the benefits of prevention and education, as well as providing an opportunity for us to come together to raise awareness in our state.

There is a significant need to raise awareness and educate our staff and clients about the seriousness of child abuse.  According to 2011 research by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, every year 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving nearly 6 million children.  Child abuse statistics in the United States are frightening – with reports stating that we lose five children every day due to abuse-related deaths.  Additionally, children whose parents abuse alcohol and other drugs are three times more likely to be abused and more than four times more likely to be neglected than children from non-abusing families.

Child Abuse Awareness Schedule

  

April 9th – Kickoff

Staff will be in the dispensing area and the lobby to hand out resources including bookmarks, ribbons, and tattoos and inform clients about activities that will take place throughout the month.

April 16th - Recovery for Resiliency

Clients will have access to items to pamper themselves and have a day of relaxation.  This will include meditation and yoga led by our staff that specialize in those areas.  These activities will take place in the IOP room and are open to all staff and clients.  

  9:00- 9:20  Meditation with Mike

  9:30- 9:50  Yoga with Donna

10:00- 10:20 Meditation with Mike

10:30-10:50  Yoga with Donna

11:00-11:20  Meditation with Mike

11:30-11:50  Yoga with Donna

April 23rd- WORKSHOP

Community Educators and Advocates and a number of agencies will come to present information to staff and clients on child abuse.  They will also educate us on the service available to youth and their families. All workshops will take place in the IOP room. 

9:00- 9:40   Child Inc                              Positive coping skills, dealing w/ difficult children

10:00-10:40  Crossroads                       Preventing learned behavior and substance abuse

11:00- 11:40 Prevent Child Abuse         Prevention and Education

12:00- 12:40  Child Mental Health          Connection to services

April 30th - WRAP UP

Luncheon and arts and crafts activities will be held. Several of our generous staff members have offered their time to do art projects with our clients and their children.