Tag Archive for: #childabusepreventionmonth

TownTalk: Child Abuse Prevention Month with S.A.M. Child Advocacy

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If you’ve driven down Garnett Street lately, you may have noticed a tree in the yard of 704 S. Garnett St. decorated with blue ribbons.

Those ribbons, tied to branches and limbs of that tree, have created a ‘Tree of Hope’ this year to observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, said Cara Gill, executive director of Strength and Mending Child Advocacy Center.

There also are pinwheels planted in the ground and a big inflatable blue ribbon adorning the S.a.M Child Advocacy Center, along with the ‘Tree of Hope,’ a new addition this year, Gill said.

It’s a small way to show support for and honor families and children who have been victims of child abuse.

For Gill and her team at the nonprofit, this is a year-round effort – not just one month out of the year. “We try to go above and beyond any way we can this month,” she said.

Overall statistics surrounding child abuse and neglect are grim, Gill noted. For every report of child abuse, she said, there are two that are unreported.

Vance County is not immune, and, in fact, as a Tier 1 county, there simply aren’t many resources for families and children.

Abuse is a multi-faceted issue that doesn’t always look the same or follow a familiar pattern. From family dynamics to generational abuse or neglect, Gill said part of S.a.M.’s approach is to provide wraparound services to support individuals and families in crisis.

Part of S.a.M.’s role is to connect families with resources to get the help they need.

Another part is the monthly meeting of a multi-disciplinary team that gathers and discusses each family that is seeking help to make sure the particular needs are being met.

“We can’t be a stand-alone center,” Gill said. “The whole point is that every family is getting exactly what they need…for the best outcome.”

One question on the S.a.M. intake form asks whether anyone else in the family has been a victim of abuse or neglect. Seventy-five percent of the time, the answer is yes. Generational abuse or neglect adds another layer to the degree of trauma felt by families.

Since it started in 2016, Gill said S.a.M. has played a role in helping families and individuals get the healing they need and that they deserve.

“We have had kids that are now in college,” she said. “They are doing wonderful things.”

Ninety percent of the victims of abuse or neglect know the alleged abuser, Gill said. It’s so important for parents or guardians to have conversations with their children to help them understand what appropriate contact is and what is inappropriate.

“Have these conversations with your kids,” Gill said, even if it feels awkward.

“You are your child’s first line of defense,” she said. “We’re always here to help out in any way.”

Parents may get an eye roll from their children, but it’s important to know who their child’s friends are. Getting involved in their lives, showing interest in their activities opens up doors to more important conversations in the future, she added.

Visit https://www.samchildadvocacycenter.com/ to find resources. Call 252.572.4112 to learn more or email Gill at cara@samcac.com.

CLICK PLAY!

Parenting Education Opportunities in Vance County

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By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire

Tonya Smith, program coordinator with Franklin-Vance-Warren Opportunity, Inc. (F-V-W), and Jean Bell, parenting education coordinator with the Cooperative Extension Center, were recently on air to discuss parenting education opportunities in Vance County.

April’s designation as National Child Abuse Prevention Month makes this a great time to spread the word on educational opportunities for parents.

“Sometimes parenting is a hard job,” said Bell. “Our services help to teach parents to discipline their children in nonviolent ways.”

The Vance County Cooperative Extension Center, located at 305 Young Street in Henderson, currently offers two parenting programs – the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program and the Incredible Years series.

According to Bell, the Triple P program teaches parents effective, nonviolent ways to help their child learn appropriate behavior.

“Kids are going to follow what they see,” Bell said. “If a child grows up in a house with a lot of violence, they are more likely to try to solve problems with violence.”

The Incredible Years, a 15-week series, focuses on parenting issues such as why it’s important to play with children, why and how to praise your children, appropriate rewards, healthy eating tips, timeout and much more.

The Cooperative Extension Center also publishes a monthly newsletter titled Growing Together. This newsletter is geared towards parents with preschool-age children, but according to Bell, is useful for any parent with young children.

“With these programs, we are trying to make sure that parents have the tools that they need to help kids grow up to be happy and productive adults,” Bell said.

F-V-W offers Circle of Parents, a support group for local parents, every Monday night at 5:30 p.m. at 180 South Beckford Drive in Henderson.

This 40-week program is offered free of charge. Free childcare during the meeting, free dinner, fun activities for the children and field trips are also offered.

Meetings typically last two hours and participating adults hear from speakers on various topics relating to parenting, ask questions and discuss their thoughts and concerns.

According to Smith, all participants who attend at least three meetings receive a $25 gas gift card.

The Circle of Parents support group often relies on word-of-mouth to attract interested participants, but they also distribute flyers and receive referrals from community agencies.

“It is a great support group; just one big family,” said Smith.

For additional information on these programs, please contact Tonya Smith at F-V-W by phone at (252) 492-8810 or by email at tonyasmith@fvwopp.com. Jean Bell with Cooperative Extension may be reached by calling (252) 438-8188.