Cook County and communities across the nation are preparing to spread the message that everyone can prevent child abuse and help make great childhoods happen in their communities.
Protective Factors
Adverse Childhood Experiences, or ACEs, have a strong and cumulative impact on the health and functioning of adults in Minnesota. ACEs can be reduced through the promotion of familial, community, and statewide protective factors Adverse Childhood Experiences in Minnesota. (2011). MDH. www.health.state.mn.us/docs/communities/ace/acereport.pdf.
Protective factors are conditions that support families and communities and increase the health and well-being of children and families.
Minnesota Communities Caring for Children identifies the following research-informed protective factors that help keep families strong Minnesota Communities Caring for Children. www.pcamn.org/prevention-resources/: . Nurturing and attachment. Small acts of kindness, protection, and caring—a hug, a smile, or loving words— make a big difference to children. . Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development. Parents learn what to look for at each age and how to help their children reach their full potential within their own cultural identity. . Parental resilience. Recognizing the signs of stress and enhancing problem solving skills can help parents continue to have courage during and after a crisis. . Social connections. Parents with family, friends, and neighbors to depend on have better support in times of need. . Concrete supports for parents. Caregivers with access to financial, housing, and other concrete resources and services that help them meet their basic needs can better attend to their role as parents. . Social and emotional competence of children. A child’s ability to interact positively with others and communicate his or her emotions effectively helps parents be more responsive to their needs.
Anyone can help prevent child abuse
Here are some ways that you can make a difference in the life of a child:
Be a nurturing caregiver in a child’s life.
Offer to help parents in your social sphere—babysitting, running errands, making dinner, or doing light chores are all examples of concrete supports you can provide to friends, family members, or neighbors.
Take care of yourself as a parent. Parenting can be stressful. Self-care and compassion are not optional activities, even as life gets busy!
Ask for help. Everyone needs support, and there is no shame in building a network of people who have your back.
Volunteer! Connect with local youth-serving agencies and ask how you can support their work.
Let parents know when they are doing a good job. Words of affirmation help parents feel seen and appreciated for their 24/7 efforts to raise the next generation.
Monitor your child’s media intake (and your own). TV, YouTube, and social media are not substitutes for caring relationships in a child’s life.
When abuse or neglect is reported
There are times when children are harmed, or you may be concerned about their safety. By calling and making a report, you can play a very important role in the life that family. When a report is received, it will be reviewed, and the best approach for achieving safety will be determined. The goal is always to help the child be safe and remain with their family by helping parents and caregivers reduce stress and learn new ways of parenting.
How to report
To report concerns about child abuse, neglect or sexual abuse, contact Cook County Public Health & Human Services (PHHS) at 218-387-3620, during business hours and ask for the intake worker. If the child is in immediate risk of harm or for after-hours-reporting, contact the Sheriff ’s Office at 218-387-3030 or dial 911.
How to learn more
A proclamation will be presented to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Cook County, and PHHS staff will give a presentation on locally available services to support families and children child abuse prevention and response in Cook County at the March 19 PHHS Board Meeting.
Learn more about Child Abuse Prevention in the month of April with the “30 Ways 30 Days” campaign on PHHS Facebook Page @ CookCountyPHHS
Help spread the word— contact Public Health Coordinator, Grace Grinager if you are interested in promotional materials for your business or organization.
The mission of the Cook County Public Health & Human Services Department is “supporting the health, safety, and well-being of the community.”
County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County— Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service.
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