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April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month 

Ann-at-the-Zoo

Three community events to help raise awareness

–To create the awareness of child abuse prevention in San Luis Obispo County, the Center for Family Strengthening (CSF)  kicks off the month of April with “Wear Blue 4 Kids—April 7.” The color blue symbolizes child abuse prevention and helping families move from lives overwhelmed by abuse and neglect to lives based on nurturing and love. Three community events are scheduled to help raise awareness:

  • April 22, the 28th Annual Children’s Day in the Park on April 22 in Atascadero
  • April 18 and April 24 screenings of the film “Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope,” in San Luis Obispo and Atascadero
  • April 28, the 9th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Academy at Cuesta College

 

“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children and strengthening families,” said Lisa Fraser, CSF Executive Director. “Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to connect with families is the best thing our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.”

This month and throughout the year, Center for Family Strengthening encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making San Luis Obispo County a better place for children and families to thrive. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by making meaningful connections with children, youth, and families in our community. Research shows that protective factors are present in healthy families. Promoting these factors is among the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. The factors for reducing the risk are:

  • Nurturing and attachment
  • Knowledge of parenting and child and youth development
  • Parental resilience
  • Social connections
  • Solid supports for parents
  • Social and emotional competence of children

 

The 28th Annual Children’s Day in the Park

On April 22, the National Month of the Child brings children and families to the Atascadero Lake Park for a day of fun, games. The event is organized by the LINK, First 5 of San Luis Obispo County, Pure Pediatric Dentistry and the City of Atascadero. Jump in the bounce houses, ride the Elk’s train and check out local businesses and organizations. For more information call (805) 466-5404

Screenings of the film ‘Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope’

The one-hour documentary, presented by CSF and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) of San Luis Obispo County, screens on April 18 in San Luis Obispo and April 24 in Atascadero. TIckets are $18 and can be purchased online.  Screening times and locations are:

  • April 18, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at  the Palm Theatre, 817 Palm St. San Luis Obispo
  • April 24, 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Galaxy Theater, 6917 El Camino Real, Atascadero

 

The 9th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Academy

The 9th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Academy at Cuesta College is on April 28 from 9:00 a.m.  – noon. The public is invited. Student participants are urged to attend and will receive a Certificate of Participation. Noted child and family therapist, speaker and blogger Ron Huxley, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)  is the guest speaker. Huxley has worked in several systems of care, including community-based mental health, child therapy clinics, private psychotherapy practice, and faith-based counseling/coaching services and holds certifications in various clinical evidence-based and promising practices. Huxley is the author of the book, “Love and Limits: Achieving a Balance in Parenting,” and has appeared on many radio programs.

About the Center for Family Strengthening

In 1988 the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors designated CFS as the self-governing entity responsible for local efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect. The Center for Family Strengthening is dedicated to strengthening families through education and advocacy and partners with family support organizations in SLO County to provide resources to families in need, protect children from abuse and neglect, and ensure that strong families are a community priority. To donate or learn more about Center for Family Strengthening or the April events,  visit the website or call (805) 543-6216.

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