Understanding Child Maltreatment 2010.

In response to the release of Child Maltreatment 2010, the latest in the annual series of reports on child maltreatment incidence, published by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, Prevent Child Abuse America has released a report - Understanding Child Maltreatment 2010 - as well as, a statement regarding Prevent Child Abuse America's findings, both of which we wanted to share with you today.

National Movement Weekly Update.

To ensure the healthy development of all children involves a variety of actions and strategies including an enhanced understanding of the various forms of child abuse and neglect. And yet according to the Winter Research Review from National Movement for America's Children founding partner the National Alliance for Children's Trust & Prevention Funds "Neglect is less understood, yet more prevalent, than other forms of child maltreatment. For a variety of reasons, including a lack of clear and accepted definition, it has been less studied than physical, sexual, and emotional abuse." The National Alliance is looking to address this gap in knowledge with funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and one step towards accomplishing this has been a preliminary review of the literature on child neglect from which the content of the Winter Research Review has been drawn. Among other things, the Review looks at definitions, risk factors and influences on neglect, and we hope that you will not only take a look at the Review, but let us know how you think you can utilize the Review to enhance the lives of children and their families in your home states and neighborhoods. So please come to the National Movement for America's Children site to share your thoughts with us and other members from your state, and if you're not sure how you might use the Review, please let us know so we can talk about that as well. Have a great week.

"Healthy Families" Program in Jeopardy in Maryland. And in the news.

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

We hope you will take a look at this well-done report on Healthy Families Maryland, even as we take a moment to recognize the unfortunate reasons the report is being aired in the first place. 

The 2012 Edition of The National Plan to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

There are a variety of strategies that need to be in place in communities and neighborhoods to ensure the healthy child development of all children and with that in mind we want to draw your attention to the release this week of the 2012 Edition of The National Plan to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation by The National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. The National Plan identifies action steps in several key areas, including research, ending the public demand for sexual exploitation, increasing public awareness and collaborative practices and funding. We hope you will not only take a look, but share it with the members of your community and neighborhood.  

Prevent Child Abuse America and MainStreetChamber Introduce ‘National Community Week’

Series of events to be held the week of March 26 by MainStreetChamber chapters to raise awareness of and funding for healthy child development, child abuse prevention

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2012, Chicago, IL – Prevent Child Abuse America and MainStreetChamber (MSC) announced today the launch of “National Community Week,” a new initiative in which MSC chapters will host events nationwide the week of March 26 to promote healthy child development and child abuse and neglect prevention. More than 20 communities will be participating in this inaugural year. MSC hopes to involve more than 100 communities in the future as this effort grows.

The events will all focus on gathering small- to medium-sized business owners to network, participate in fundraising activities and join together to show their support for families and children in their communities.

"Given its focus on engaging neighborhoods and communities across the country, our partnership with Prevent Child Abuse America was a natural fit for our organization,” said John Bellave, MainStreetChamber President and CEO. “Through this collaboration and these events, we are proud to join Prevent Child Abuse America in making a positive change for children everywhere.”

MSC chapters committed to participate in the inaugural “National Community Week” include: Anchorage, AK; Chino Valley, CA; Ontario, CA; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; San Diego County, CA; Temecula Valley, CA; Tri-County, CA; Denver, CO; Orlando, FL; Fort Wayne, IN; East Metro, MN; North Metro, MN; ; West Metro, MN; Charlotte, NC; Winston- Salem, NC; Las Vegas, NV; Mahoning Valley, OH; Lackawanna County, PA; Philadelphia, PA; Greenville, SC; Myrtle Beach, SC; N. Myrtle Beach, SC; and Richmond, VA.

“We all have a role to play when it comes to ensuring the healthy development of our nation’s children, particularly the business community as future employers of today’s youth,” said Prevent Child Abuse America President and CEO, James M. Hmurovich. “Small businesses offer a great opportunity to promote, support policies for and help employees achieve healthy work-family balance.

Recognizing that more than half of our nation’s employment opportunities are made possible by small businesses, our partnership with MainStreetChamber is good for the economy, good for children and ultimately good for our nation.”

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ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 48 states and over 400 Healthy Families America home visitation sites in 37 states, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we’re doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our Prevent Child Abuse America and Healthy Families America websites, here and here.

ABOUT MAINSTREETCHAMBER

MainStreetChamber™ is a rapidly expanding, National Membership Organization dedicated to helping small business grow and become more profitable. As a preferred small business networking organization, they are focused on small business professionals, creating fresh opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs and to make important business contacts at local, state and national levels. To find out more or join please visit MainStreetChamber's website here.

National Movement Weekly Update.

It is an important reminder that while we live in a country that values both prosperity and good stewardship of the country's resources for future generations, a new report from The National Center on Family Homelessness titled America's Youngest Outcasts 2010 is reporting that 1 in 45 children, or more 1.6 million total, are homeless, a 38% increase from 2007-2010. The content of the report, which also provides state rankings, might be feel incredibly hopeless if not for the fact that it also focuses on array of solutions targeting housing, child care, education, domestic violence, and employment. We encourage to take a look at these solutions, as well as, learn more about the work being done by the Center with its Campaign to End Child Homelessness. We would like to hear how you can utilize both to enhance the lives of children and their families in your home states and neighborhoods, so please come to the National Movement for America's Children site to share your thoughts with us and other members from your state, and if you're not sure how you might use the report or the work of the Center, please let us know so we can talk about that as well. Have a great week.

The Children's Bureau 2012 Child Abuse Prevention Month Resource Guide is available.

We wanted to let you know that the Children's Bureau 2012 Child Abuse Prevention Month resource guide - Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being: A Network for Action 2012 Resource Guide - is now available.

It’s time for the 15th Annual Wrigley Start Early Run! Chicagoans step out and show their support for children and families

Proceeds Benefit Prevent Child Abuse America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO (March 8, 2012) – On Saturday, April 21, thousands of Chicagoans will shake off the chill of winter to step out in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month and our nation’s children. The 15th Annual Wrigley Start Early Run will feature 5K and 10K chip-timed and fun runs, a one-mile pledge walk and a kids dash free for children ten and under. It will be held in the Upper Hutchinson Field of Grant Park at Columbus and Balbo.

Proceeds will benefit Prevent Child Abuse America, an organization dedicated to ensuring the healthy development of children nationwide. Our lead partner on the event is Voices for Illinois Children, which champions the full development of every child in Illinois to assure the future well-being of everyone in the state. In addition, at least 19 other child-focused organizations throughout the Chicagoland area will also participate and benefit through pledges, making the run a true community endeavor.

“Every one of us has a role in supporting healthy child development and preventing child abuse and neglect,” said Prevent Child Abuse America President and CEO James M. Hmurovich. “Participating in the Wrigley Start Early Run not only increases public awareness of this issue, but indicates that Chicagoans are committed to this cause, and are interested in supporting a bigger vision for our country... one that is filled with happy children who can enjoy their childhood. I am very appreciative of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company’s ongoing sense of corporate social responsibility.”

Interested runners or walkers are encouraged to register on-line by noon on April 18 here. Walk-ins are also welcome on race day, however no race day registration will be available for chip-timed runners.
NBC Channel 5 Sports Anchor Mike Adamle will emcee the event, in which up to 3,000 participants will become a part of the effort to change the way that we, as a nation, value our children. A variety of kid-friendly activities, including appearances from the Berenstain Bears, a sports mascot, and a kids’ area with bounce houses and games, also will make the event a fun experience for the entire family.

The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is once again serving as the event’s title sponsor. Additional support being provided by Verizon Wireless, Best Buy, Fleet Feet Sports Chicago, PNC, Six Flags Great America, Hyatt Regency Riverfront Jacksonville, the Kappa Delta Sorority, R.W. Knudsen Family, 101.9 FM The Mix, 100.3 FM and K-Hits 104.3 FM.


Wrigley Start Early Run & Walk Event Details

WHEN: Saturday, April 21st
7:30a.m. – Registration Opens and Packet Pick-Up
9:00a.m. – 1-Mile ledge Walk
9:15a.m. – 5K Chip-Timed and Fun Run
9:20a.m. – 10K Chip-Timed and Fun Run
Kids Dash starts after the runs are completed

WHERE: Hutchinson Field in Grant Park (Columbus at Balbo)

DETAILS:
Register here.

ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA
Prevent Child Abuse America, founded in 1972 in Chicago, works to ensure the healthy development of children nationwide. The organization promotes that vision through a network of chapters in 48 states and over 400 Healthy Families America, home visitation sites in 37 states, the Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and Canada. A major organizational focus is to advocate for the existence of a national policy framework and strategy for children and families while promoting evidence-based practices that prevent abuse and neglect from ever occurring. To learn more about what we’re doing to prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can help, please visit our websites,
here and here.

ABOUT WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY
Wrigley is a recognized leader in confections with a wide range of product offerings including gum, mints, hard and chewy candies, and lollipops. The company has operations in more than 40 countries and distributes its world-famous brands in more than 180 countries. Wrigley’s well-loved brands include Extra®, Orbit®, Doublemint®, 5™, Juicy Fruit® and Eclipse® chewing gums, as well as confectionery brands Skittles®, Starburst®, Altoids® and Life Savers®. Wrigley is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and operates as a subsidiary of Mars, Incorporated. Based in McLean, Virginia, Mars has net sales of more than $30 billion and six business segments including Petcare, Chocolate, Wrigley, Food, Drinks and Symbioscience. More than 65,000 Associates worldwide are putting our Mars Principles in action every day to make a difference for people and the planet through our performance.

Prevent Child Abuse America in the Atlantic.

Prevent Child Abuse America was recently interviewed for a story in the Atlantic titled "Should Clergy Report Confessions of Child Abuse." While we were not asked to comment specifically on the clergy, we were asked to comment on our thoughts regarding whether all adults should be required to report child abuse and Prevent Child Abuse America's President & CEO James M. Hmurovich's quote can be found below.  

"Jim Hmurovich, president of Prevent Child Abuse America, supports mandatory reporting for everyone, but he warns that any such law needs to be thoroughly considered first. "There must be a political and a public will to promote public awareness of the requirement, provide adequate and on-going training, and a willingness to enforce it."

National Movement Weekly Update.

KIDS COUNT, a project of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, is a national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the United States. The KIDS COUNT Data Snapshot series highlights specific indicators of child well-being contained in the KIDS COUNT Data Center. The Snaphot series recently released a new Data Snapshot highlighting "High Poverty Communities" - communities with a poverty rate of 30 percent or more - which reports that the number of children living in these communities has risen by 1.6 million, a 25 percent increase since 2000. The Snapshot not only discusses the impact on children and families living in these communities, but solutions for improving their chances of success, including "Leveraging anchor institutions to build strong, supportive communities for children and families" and "Increasing access to affordable housing in safe, opportunity-rich communities for low-income families, particularly families of color." It is a fascinating report and we hope you will take a look. We would also like to hear how you can use this data, and these solutions, to enhance the lives of children and their families in your home states and neighborhoods. So please come to the National Movement for America's Children site to share your thoughts with us and other members from your state, and if you're not sure how you might use this report, please let us know so we can talk about that as well. Have a great week.