| Please Vote for Our New Message |
We have created a survey to help us determine our new prevention message for 2010. Out of over 200 messages suggested through the online brainstorm held in October, eight rose to the top based on the following criteria: Is it positive? Is it engaging? Is it simple? Does it engage those not already concerned about prevention? Does it appeal to the values of future prosperity and/or ingenuity?
Now we'd like your vote! It only takes a few minutes, and we will use your input to help choose a slogan to promote in April 2010. Follow this link to our online Survey Monkey . |
| Commercial-Free Holidays |
For parents trying to pass on positive values to children in a commercialized culture, the December holidays pose an especially difficult challenge. Each year, holiday marketing begins earlier. And our children, targets for marketing all year round, face an ever-intensified onslaught of advertising designed to supplant the cultural, spiritual, social-political meaning of the holidays with materialistic values-celebrating acquisition instead of altruism, spending instead of spirituality, and getting instead of giving. There's no one size fits all method for getting through the holidays with your values intact. So Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood created the CCFC Guide to Commercial-Free Holidays to provide an array of suggestions for reclaiming your family celebrations from marketers. You can download your free copy of CCFC's Guide to Commercial-Free Holidays here. |
| Brain Science is Interesting |
Brain science has answered many questions about development in the first years of life, but it always raises others. New findings, as reported by the media, may be confusing, misleading, or offer contradictory conclusions. How can researchers' discoveries help parents with the daily realities of raising young children? And what concepts about early development have "held up" over time? A webcast from Parenting Counts presented an overview of important findings in early development, and what they really tell us about what children need from their parents and caregivers. Follow this link to view the webcast. |
| Materials from the Strengthening Families Leadership Summit |
On October 28-29, in Atlanta, Georgia, more than 325 people gathered to learn about Strengthening Families, share their expertise, and connect with peers across the country who are working to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal development. Roxy Foster, our Director of Civic Parent Leadership, was there. At the 2009 Leadership Summit, policymakers, administrators, direct service providers, and parents discussed how to address the challenges faced by state initiatives and programs in the difficult economic climate. They looked to the future to identify promising new directions for the work, and they celebrated their accomplishments since the last Summit. Those who attended the Summit were the first to see many new materials produced by CSSP to support Strengthening Families initiatives. All of these materials are now available online, along with much more information about what took place at the Summit, on the Strengthening Families Leadership Summit website. All materials are able to be viewed and downloaded for free right here. |
| MnDeptEd Who? |
Minnesota's child development and parenting information is now available on Facebook and Twitter. Because more and more people are receiving information from social media these days, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently joined the social media movement by establishing a Facebook page and a Twitter account. They are using these tools to complement their other communication efforts such as the State's parent website, www.mnparentsknow.info, periodic listserv distribution and the regular Early Learning Services information on the MDE Web pages. We encourage everyone interested in child development, early childhood education and parenting topics in Minnesota to become a "fan" of their Facebook page and a "follower" of their Twitter account. Users can find our Facebook page by searching for the Minnesota Department of Education and follow our Twitter updates at MnDeptEd. Also, visit YouTube for Department videos at www.youtube.com/mndeptofed. | |
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| Go Shopping! |
Holiday Gifts that Give Back! Holiday "Giving" at GoodShop or iGive includes such stores as JCPenney, Sears, Target, Old Navy, PetSmart, LLBean, The Gap, Macy's, and Kohl's.
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| Events |
Fatherhood in the 21st Century: From Pregnancy Planning to Parenting on December 2, 2009. What is the role of fathers in the 21st Century? The media tell us that some fathers are a "problem". However, there are cultural shifts challenging stereotypes to allow a more varied representation of fathers. For more information or to register, visit this link.
Historical Trauma, Microaggressions, and Identity: A Framework for Culturally-Based Practice on December 4, 2009. The Center for Excellence in Children's Mental Health and CEED's Harris Programs are partnering this year to sponsor a series on culture in the context of children's mental health. For more information on this workshop and the Lessons from the Field Series, visit the CECMH Series web page. Reality Check: Work and Family in a 24/7 World on December 4, 2009. Workers and their families face new challenges in balancing work and family responsibilities as the workplace evolves in the 24/7 economy. Online registration materials.
Visit our calendar for more prevention related events. |
| Circle of ParentsŪ |
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We offer free community-based support groups for parents and children. Click here for more information.
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| PCAMN Links |
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September 2009 Newsletter from the Parent Leadership Team
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