| Dear Friends,
There are so many exciting things going on around the state this month, and we can't wait. Our Featured Article this month is about how we can use our messages to help people understand preventing child abuse in new ways, by reframing what we talk about. Read more below! |
| Reframing Prevention Messages |
 |
When most people hear the words "child abuse," their brains automatically fill in frames of what they know - horrific crimes, the failure of the child protection system, and the prevalence of sexual predators. Instead of motivating people to action, these ideas can be paralyzing and seem overwhelming. Recently, Prevent Child Abuse America teamed up with the Frameworks Institute to research how we can change the frames in peoples' brains. The goal of this research is to move the public beyond the generation of awareness and concern to actual engagement in prevention, including behavior change. You can read more about the ongoing research by visiting Prevent Child Abuse America's website or checking out the Frameworks Institute's research. Below is a short excerpt from the findings.
"The research results presented here confirm those of past researchers: continuing along the same path pursued in previous communications campaigns is unlikely to gain any new ground and, in fact, risks alienating the public that has been won over. Currently, child abuse and neglect issues are portrayed as stories about criminal atrocities, bad parents, government failures and sexual predators. By further invigorating the dominant news frames used to tell the story of child abuse and neglect, advocates will reinforce many of the mistaken beliefs that the public currently brings to the issue, from misunderstandings about development and discipline to exaggerated appraisals of government inefficacy and stranger dangers. Most importantly, the ways that advocates or the media currently frame the issue are not leading people to an understanding of societal solutions nor are they prompting a re-examination of their personal behaviors with respect to their own children or families in their own communities. The message of prevention is being lost.
There are numerous ways to improve the messaging of child abuse prevention that emerge from the research findings. Most importantly, however, the FrameWorks research suggests both long-term and short-term approaches. Among long-term recommendations are strategic partnerships among groups that promote community and child development in order to advance the policies that Prevent Child Abuse America has chosen. Among short-term recommendations are topical-based campaigns that take advantage of those issue areas where Americans are already asking questions about appropriate behavior and the role of community norms, such as coaching."
If you're interested in learning more about how to frame prevention messages, please register for our November 24 videoconference on "Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Messages." (see below) |
| Free Videoconferences this Fall |
Our fall series of videoconference trainings starts this week and continues with two more exciting videoconferences in September and November.
August 29, 9am-12pm: Successful Family Strengthening Practices around the State
September 17, 9am-12pm: Using Knowledge of Infant Development to Prevent Maltreatment
November 24, 9am-12pm: Statewide Child Abuse Prevention Messages - Building a Unified Front
|
| Engaging Fathers in Supporting Healthy Development of Young Children workshops |
|
This workshop is offered in seven locations across Minnesota, and will provide a training opportunity for individuals working in family services, child welfare, family courts, parenting education, early childhood development, public health, child support enforcement, fatherhood advocacy and other social service organizations. Topics will include research and theory about parent-child mental health birth-to-three, mental health community support for parents, principles for engaging men as clients and colleagues, and community resources for promoting parent engagement in early childhood development. Offered by MFFN, Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, DHS Children's Trust Fund, the Minnesota Initiative Foundations, and St. Cloud State University. FREE to MFFN members, Child Abuse Prevention Council members, and Circle of Parents members. Nonmember registration fee is $20.00.
- Bemidji: Friday October 3, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Little Falls: Tuesday October 7, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Albert Lea: Friday October 10, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Litchfield: Tuesday October 21, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Twin Cities: Tuesday October 28, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Duluth: Friday November 7, 10:00am - 3:00pm
- Alexandria: Friday November 21, 10:30am - 3:30pm
|
| You Can Support Us Every Day! |
With gas prices high and the economy in a slump, nonprofits and schools are having trouble meeting their fundraising goals this year!
In a show of support, more than 700 of your favorite internet retailers and travel sites including Amazon, eBay, Target, Apple, Expedia and more have joined forces with GoodShop.com - donating a percentage of all your purchases to your favorite charity at no additional cost to you! More than 63,000 nonprofits and schools are now on-board!
It takes just a few seconds to go to www.goodshop.com, select your charity, and then click through to your favorite store and shop as usual.
Also, Yahoo has teamed up with GoodShop's sister-site, GoodSearch.com, to donate a penny to your cause every time you search the web. This is totally free as the money comes from advertisers.
To give you a sense of how the money can add up, the ASPCA has already earned more than $17,000!
GoodSearch and GoodShop have been featured in the NY Times, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, Oprah Magazine and more.
Nonprofits need our help to now more than ever!
Please tell 10 friends about GoodShop and GoodSearch, and start clicking today! | |
|
|
|
| Take Action! |
Keep updated on child abuse prevention messaging by visiting the blog of PCA America, "Changing the Way we Think About Prevention" |
| Children and Youth Convention August 27 |
Kids can learn about civic engagement and create their own platform at the Children and Youth Convention, Wednesday August 27, 2008. There is still time to register your kids or your group for the event being held on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds. It's sponsored by the Minnesota Children's Platform Coalition and Every Child Matters Minnesota. To learn more about the event, register a group, or volunteer, click here. |
| Dr. Harvey Karp Speaking in Maple Grove August 28 |
|
Dr. Karp is a nationally renowned pediatrician, child development specialist, authority on children's environmental health and breastfeeding as well as an assistant professor at UCLA. He is the author of the revolutionary books: The Happiest Baby on the Block and the Happiest Toddler on the Block. Dr. Karp will lecture about his unique methods for calming the fussiest baby and new ways to speak to toddlers (1-4 years old). His techniques are being used to promote good parenting as well as to help prevent child abuse, postpartum depression and SIDS; and are endorsed by top child specialists.
Date: Thursday, August 28th
Time: 6:30- 8:30 PM
Location: Maple Grove Junior High School
7000 Hemlock Lane
Cost: $15 tickets must be purchased in advance by visiting this website. |
| August 29 Videoconference: Successful Family Strengthening Practices |
|
There's still time to register for a free videoconference on Friday August 29th from 9am-noon. Join us to discuss a wide variety of practices and events that are going on all over Minnesota and share your own updates. We will hear about the successes and challenges of event planning so far this year, and talk about how to keep the momentum of Child Abuse Prevention Month going all year long. What new or exciting family strengthening practice from your county would you like to share about? This videoconference is being broadcast in 21 counties around the state: click here to find out where you can attend and register today. |
| Save the Date for Taking Back Childhood |
On Wednesday September 17th, Dr. Nancy Carlsson-Paige will be talking about her book "Taking Back Childhood" in Minneapolis. Check the East Side Neighborhood Services website for future information. |
| Benefit for an Abused Child |
|
Friends and family of Lucas Henze are putting on a benefit dinner and silent auction to raise funds to care for Lucas, who suffered a severe brain injury as a result of his abuse at the home of a daycare provider. For more information about this benefit or Lucas, please call Bruce & Wyanita Ferden at 651-462-0121. |
|
|
