| Dear Friend of PCAMN:
This is our fifth and final installment on the Five Protective Factors. The featured article will discuss the importance of families being able to find concrete supports in their times of need. There are many resources available to parents and families throughout Minnesota, and we really can connect any family to the support they need in difficult times.
As you may know, April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. We are getting very excited as we prepare for a variety of events around the state. Continue reading below to learn more about our Community Strategies workshop in February, the kickoff event at the Capitol, and the annual conference and gala in April.
-Your friends at PCAMN |
| Concrete Supports in Times of Need |
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Even with strong family connections and lots of knowledge about parenting and children, families can still feel the stress build when times get tough. Many factors beyond the parent-child relationship affect a family's ability to care for their children. Parents need basic resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, and access to essential services that address family-specific needs (such as childcare, health and mental health care) to ensure the health and well-being of their children.
We know that providing concrete supports, information, and access to community resources can help families cope with stress and prevent situations where maltreatment might occur. You can help by finding out what basic resources are available in the community and how to access them.There are a number of wonderful resources on the web that allow people to search for specific needs, and offer services to meet those needs.You may have heard about the United Way helpline (211), but did you know they also have a website?The Beehive website allows people to search for resources based on category of need (early childhood, legal services, mental health, etc.) or by keyword.Similarly, MinnesotaHelp.info provides a listing of organizations and what service they provide based on a keyword search, and the list can be narrowed by location.Both of these websites can be a great help for families in need.
The best world we can hope for is a world where families thrive. A world where caregivers have access to financial, housing, and other concrete resources that help them meet their basic needs so they are better able to attend to their role as parents.
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| February 20th Videoconference: Community Strategies to Strengthen Families and Prevent Abuse |
Join PCAMN and the Department of Human Services for a statewide videoconference on the importance of involving communities in child abuse prevention work and preparing for April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Spaces are limited so advance registration is required. We are happy to provide this training at no charge.
Bill Doherty, Ph.D., M.A. will talk about how communities and community organizations can help families find balance in their lives. His many projects include the Family Formation Project, Balance for Success, and Putting Families First.
Sharon E. McKinley with the Child Welfare Information Gateway will present information on how to create supportive communities and build community support around preventing abuse and neglect, as well as give tools for how you can engage your community.
Finally, Ben Tanzer, Prevent Child Abuse America's Director of Strategic Communications, will speak about exciting research that shows how reframing our message of prevention can help gather community support and strengthen families.
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| Congratulations to Victor Vieth, MN Attorney of the Year. |
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"Minnesota Lawyer" has named Victor Vieth, Director of NAPSAC's National Child Protection Training Center, as an Attorney of the Year. This award is reserved for a select group of attorneys who have distinguished themselves in 2007 through exemplary work. Criteria for selection includes leadership in the profession, involvement in major cases or other newsworthy events, excellence in corporate or transactional services, and public service.
Victor Vieth was also one of five attorneys singled out for outstanding service. These individuals have strengthened the state's legal community through many years of dedicated service. Victor was recognized for his work to eliminate child abuse by designing training programs for prosecuters on a national level.
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| February is National Parent Leadership Month |
PCAMN is pleased to celebrate National Parent Leadership Month in February, 2008. This major initiative will include a series of national, state, and local activities to honor and celebrate parents for their leadership roles in their homes and communities. We encourage everyone to be involved in this world-wide opportunity to honor Parent Leaders. Our website has lots of information on what parent leadership is and why we support Parent Leadership Month.
For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Roxy Foster by phone at 651-523-0099 x118, or by email at rfoster@pcamn.org.
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| WANTED: Auction Assistant |
Seeking well-organized, enthusiastic and detail orientated auction worker to help with all aspects of the PCAMN Auction. Duties include donation solicitation, set-up, display organization, record keeping, and more. Must have basic knowledge of office equipment including desktop computers. Previous auction experience a plus! Flexible days and hours. Volunteer assignment includes free entry to the Gala including dinner. Contact David Gonzalez at 651-523-0099 x121 for more information and a complete position description. |
| FRIENDS Online Learning Center |
The FRIENDS National Resource Center is pleased to announce the launch of our Online Learning Center, a resource designed to meet the demands of providing high quality, subject specific training in a cost effective manner for the child abuse prevention community. The Online Learning Center is designed to offer accessible continuing education and professional development opportunities that are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may access the FRIENDS Online Learning Center here. |
| Parenting Group for Women with a Significant Other in Prison |
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Every Tuesday from February 5th to April 8th, there will be a support group for mothers with a significant other in prison. The group will start with a free dinner and child care and activities are provided. The purpose of the group is to learn about getting cooperation from children, talking with children about their father in prison, breaking negative patterns in families, children's self-esteem, effective discipline, and getting support for yourself as a parent. This class is a wonderful way for women to find support and understanding from others in similar situations. For more information or free registration, please contact Karen Leto at 612-353-3022. |
| Blue Ribbon County Nominations |
For the sixth year in a row PCAMN is proud to present the Blue Ribbon County Awards in conjunction with the statewide Conference. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, April 23rd at our "Evening for the Children" Gala. The awards will be given to Minnesota Counties and Tribes that have shown leadership and excellence in their combined private and public efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect over the past year. There is no limit to the number of counties that may receive the award, and it is our hope that one day every county will be a Blue Ribbon County.
We are inviting nominations and will make the awards to the counties that show strong, innovative, and successful efforts at child abuse and neglect prevention. For more specifics on what qualities we are looking for and to make a nomination, please visit our website.
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| Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible |
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Making Whiteness Visible is a powerful documentary that focuses on the experiences of white people committed to challenging racism in the U.S.
Filmmaker Dr. Shakti Butler will facilitate heart to heart conversations following the film.
When: Friday January 25th, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Where: University of St. Thomas, McNeely Hall, Room 100
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, click here. |
| Dr. Robert Veninga |
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The Ramsey County Department of Public Health is excited to announce a presentation by Dr. Robert Veninga, Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota School of Public Health, award-winning author, and renown speaker on leadership, organization change, and occupational health.
When: January 31
8:15am-8:45am - Continental breakfast
9:00am-10:00am - Presentation by Dr. Veninga
Where: Metro State University, Founders Hall
For more information, please contact the Ramsey County CAPC at 651-266-2597 |
| Disability...Now What? |
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A free workshop that can make a difference for your child!
If you have a child with a disability, you may have wondered what services are available to your child and where to find them. Arc Greater Twin Cities invites you to get a clearer picture of services and solutions at a two-part workshop: Disability...Now What?
This valuable and informative workshop offers materials from two popular Arc programs, Putting the Pieces Together and Get Set! for Special Education Success. You may attend either or both sessions.
County and School Services: Thursday January 24th, 6:30-8:30pm
Advocating for Your Child: Thursday February 7th, 6:30-8:00pm
For more information or to register, please call Arc at 952-920-0855. |
| Teaching Kids to be Responsible |
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Corwin Kronenberg is a parent, teacher, author, and a highly sought after expert and speaker in the areas of self-concept and discipline. Thousands of child care providers, parents, and educators have attended his workshops giving him excellent evaluations and standing ovations for his dynamic presentations. His presentation will include:
Disciplining with Unconditional Love - The Foundation of Responsibility
Making Rules and Delivering Consequences - That Teach Responsibility
Implementing Restorative Consequences - The Key to Responsibility
Dealing with Behavioral Con Games - The Child's Attempt to Avoid Responsibility
Holding Children Responsible - A Process for Teaching Responsibility
When: Thursday, February 7th from 6:30-8:00pm
Where: Shakopee Jr. High Auditorium, 200 10th Ave. E., Shakopee
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| National Indian Child Welfare Association Conference |
The National Indian Child Welfare Association Annual Conference will be in the Twin Cities this year, April 20-23, 2008! It will be held the two and 1/2 days preceding the Minnesota Strengthening Families to Prevent Child Abuse Conference. Please consider attending all or part of both conferences! More information on the NICWA conference is available here. |
| Coming Soon: April Conference Information |
Our annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Conference is scheduled for April 23 & 24th, 2008. The title of this year's event is "Prevention Works: Igniting Change for Families." Please keep checking our website and your mailbox for more information on the schedule, speakers, and how to register. | |
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