In support of Child Abuse Prevention Month, volunteers from the Brown County Welfare Board, CASA, Crusaders for the Fatherless, and many other child advocacy groups will be at Heartland Mall on Saturday, April 21st from 12:00pm until 3:00pm to raise awareness and “Shower the Rainbow Room.”
There will be a poster contest on display, free child ID kits, free information on child abuse prevention and children are invited to participate in free activities during the event.
Volunteers will be sharing information and selling Raindrops for $1 to raise funds for the Rainbow Room (all donations are tax deductible). This financial support allows the Rainbow Room to purchase specific items as they are depleted. Monetary donations may also be mailed to Child Welfare Board, P.O. Box 836, Brownwood Texas, 76804.The Rainbow Room is located inside the CPS Office at 2400 Crockett Drive in Brownwood and serves an emergency resource room that stocks items such as diapers, formula, car seats, clothing, lice shampoo and other necessities for caseworkers who help families in need with the most basic necessities. This often helps keep families together through traumatic times and can be equally critical in developing a helping relationship between caseworkers and the families they serve.
The Rainbow Room motto is, “Abused and neglected children do not deserve abused and neglected things.” You can be a ray of hope to these children.
The website www.itsuptoyou.org contains a wealth of information on how to prevent child abuse and where to go for help with parenting skills.
The City of Brownwood proclaimed April 2012 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in Brownwood at a recent city council meeting and Mayor Stephen Haynes encouraged all citizens to join in the cause.
A proclamation read at the council meeting and was presented to the child advocacy group volunteers who were present and represented organizations such as CASA and Brown County Child Welfare Board.
According to the proclamation:
- Nearly 200,000 children in Texas are reported as abused or neglected every year and more than 3 million are reported nationwide (1 million of these cases are confirmed)
- Child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and finding solutions depends on involvement among all people
- Communities must make every effort to promote programs that benefit children and their families
- Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community.
Brown County Child Welfare Board offers some simple ways each of us can help prevent child abuse and neglect:
- Be a nurturing parent. Children need to know that they are special and loved. Educate yourself about a child’s development process so you can have reasonable expectations about what your child can and cannot do.
- Help a friend, neighbor or relative. Being a parent isn’t easy. Someone you know may be struggling with his or her parenting responsibilities. Offer a helping hand.
- Help yourself. When big and little problems of everyday life pile up to the point you feel overwhelmed and out of control, take time out. Don’t take it out on your child. Take a deep breath. Turn on some music.
- If your baby cries…It can be frustrating to hear your baby cry, especially when nothing you do seems to work. Learn what to do if your baby won’t stop crying – but, never, shake a baby!
- Get involved. Advocate for services to help families. Ask your community leaders, clergy, library and schools to develop services to meet the needs of children and families.
- Monitor your child’s television and computer use. Watching violent films on TV or playing violent computer games can harm young children. Not only does it scare them, it also teaches children that aggression is a good way to handle frustration and solve problems.
- Spend time playing with your children – or read to them instead.
- Report suspected abuse or neglect. Keeping children safe is the responsibility of every adult in our community. If you have a reason to believe a child has been – or may be – harmed, call 1-800-252-5400.
