Some thoughts on NPR's "Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome" story.

Today NPR ran a story titled "Rethinking Shaken Baby Syndrome" which was reminiscent of February's New York Times Magazine article "Has a Flawed Diagnosis Put Innocent People Behind Bars?" Given this, we thought we would re-run our post from February 17th where we shared our thoughts on that article.

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In response to the recent New York Times Magazine article regarding Shaken Baby Syndrome by Emily Bazelon, “Has a Flawed Diagnosis Put Innocent People Behind Bars?”, Prevent Child Abuse America would like to offer the following thoughts.

Prevent Child Abuse America advocates for promoting a shared societal responsibility for the healthy development of children and providing all families with the support and resources they need.

Any time there is evidence a child has been injured, the cause of the injury should be evaluated appropriately by a medical professional.

When evidence of shaken baby syndrome is present, we believe the following questions should be asked:

• What role did stress or other emotional issues like frustration play in this situation and how do we as a community and as a nation ensure that adequate services, information and help are available to parents and/or caregivers when they are needed and as long as they are needed?

• What opportunities exist to change the culture and norms of our nation to reflect the real value we all should place on children having loving, healthy and stable experiences?

By having a discussion about shaken baby syndrome or other child abuse or neglect topics, we are taking a positive step towards prioritizing prevention so that child abuse and neglect never occur in the first place.

Brain Hero. Digging this.

Quite digging this video and hope you will take a look. Brain Hero is the result of a collaboration between the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University and the Interactive Media Division of the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California. For more information on this effort and this partnership please go here.

Calls to the White House Needed This Week!

Deficit reduction deals should take cuts to programs for low- and moderate-income people off the table. President Obama is scheduled to meet with Senate leaders today to move a deal forward - please call the White House NOW! Call 1-888-245-0215 toll-free, so they know there is strong support for fair revenues to prevent slashing low-income services.

You've probably heard: Negotiations on reducing the deficit have hit a roadblock, and President Obama is taking a more active role. He is meeting with Senate leadership today. Vice President Biden had been working with a small group from Congress to get an agreement by July 1.

They've been stalled because Republicans in the group want trillions of dollars in service cuts and are staking out a position opposed to replacing some of those cuts with increased revenues. The Administration is playing a critical role, and does support including increased revenues to protect low and moderate-income people. We need them to hold firm!

Call 1-888-245-0215 toll-free, and you'll be connected to the White House Comment Line. Call NOW and tell them:

"Please tell the President and the Vice President to hold firm and prevent harmful cuts or caps to low-income programs in the negotiations to reduce the deficit. Please insist on fair increases in revenues to prevent reckless cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and other essential services.”

Major national organizations are also urging decision-makers to protect low-income people in deficit reduction plans. This morning a letter was circulated from organizations including United Way Worldwide, National Council of La Raza, Feeding America, Sojourners, Families USA and many more, including the Coalition on Human Needs.

Click here to see the letter and press statement.

The President and Vice President need your call now. Dial 1-888-245-0215 toll-free, and you'll be connected to the White House Comment Line.

THANKS!

ALSO, PLEASE SHARE THIS MESSAGE WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES AND URGE THEM TO ASK OTHERS TO DO THE SAME!

National Board Lifetime Member SuEllen Fried talks bullying with The Kansas City Star.

We are thrilled to let you know about this recent interview with National Board Lifetime Member SuEllen Fried where she talks bullying with The Kansas City Star. SuEllen is one of the country's true leaders on the topic of bullying through her work with BullySafeUSA and we hope you will take a moment to look at not only this interview, but at the vast resources available at BullySafeUSA as well. Congratulations SuEllen and thank you for all you do to ensure the healthy development of children everywhere.

Prevent Child Abuse America in West Virginia.

Jim McKay, PCA West Virginia; Ben Tanzer and Bryan Specht

Prevent Child Abuse America National Board Member Bryan Specht and Senior Director of Strategic Communications Ben Tanzer had the opportunity to both speak at the Leadership Institute on Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect in Charleston, West Virginia this week, as well as, speak to Dan Heyman from Public News Service - West Virginia about healthy child development and preventing child abuse and neglect.

"America spends $104 billion a year on child abuse and neglect cases, Specht says, adding that the nation could save that money by continuing to prevent many of these cases - and doing so would be beneficial in other ways as well. 'The science is really saying to us, 'This is the right thing to do, for the capacity of our children to learn, for our economy - the kind of society that we could live in, if we provided that healthy opportunity to every child.'"

It's not over yet. Only 712 to go!

Only 712 to go to achieve our full $5,000 goal! To help us get there, simply click "Like" on the Atlanta Bread fan page and Atlanta Bread will donate $1.00 to Prevent Child Abuse America, up to $5,000. It’s that easy and there’s no cost to you. Please take a minute to “click for kids” and pass this on!