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Trainings/Conferences
On-line Resouces
An independent forum with news, programs, research, events, legislation, theory, and opinion on education, health, welfare, and justice for California's 10 million children
Focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5
Research and message development on child and family mental health Promoting the health and development of infants and toddlers Building awareness and understanding of sensory processing disorders through education and collaboration Helping parents, teachers and health professionals to proactively manage the challenging behaviors of the 21st century child |
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Meeting Information
Next Meeting:
April 10, 2012
8:30 to 10:30 A.M.
Blood Source Community Meeting Room
We will view Brain Hero, a 3-minute game-inspired video about how actions taken by parents, teachers, policymakers, and others can affect life outcomes for both the child and the surrounding community.
Future meetings:
May 8th, Nurturing Parenting presentation, Diana, NVCSS
June 12th, Cyber Bullying Prevention - by Paula Felipe, BCSO.
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 April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April marks the observance of Child Abuse Prevention month, a time to focus on the protection and care of our most vulnerable and trusting people, children. Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed each April since 1983. Since that time, individuals and organizations have joined together during April to raise the public's awareness of child abuse and its prevention.
Among the events sponsored by the Butte County Child Abuse Prevention Council this April to draw attention to child abuse prevention; Tie a Blue Ribbon campaign; displays at over 50 locations in the county; 2nd Annual Art Show, April 13 - 15th, (details below); resource booth at the Children's Faire, April 28th; calendars of activities for families in north and south areas of the county; proclamations to all the city councils and board of supervisors; bus poster displays in 6 transit stations; a label pin of appreciation to social workers; resource materials for parents.
 The blue ribbon is the symbol of child abuse prevention. Join us in keeping children safe. Tie a blue ribbon on a tree to show your commitment to protecting children.
An article describing a recent study on the societal costs of child abuse is here.
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Mental Illness In Children: Know The Signs
From MayoClinic.com
Mental illness in children can be hard for parents to identify. As a result, many children who could benefit from treatment don't get the help they need. Understand the warning signs of mental illness in children and how you can help your child cope.
It's typically up to the adults in a child's life to identify whether the child has a mental health concern. Unfortunately, many parents don't know the signs and symptoms of mental illness in children. Even if you know the red flags, it can be difficult to distinguish signs of a problem from normal childhood behavior. You might reason that every child displays some of these signs at some point. Concerns about the stigma associated with mental illness, the use of certain medications and the cost of treatment might also prevent parents from seeking care for a child who has a suspected mental illness.
Children can experience a range of mental health conditions, including:
- Anxiety disorders. Children who have anxiety disorders - such as obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social phobia and generalized anxiety disorder - experience anxiety as a persistent problem that interferes with their daily activities.
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This condition typically includes a combination of issues, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
- Autism. Autism is one of a group of serious developmental problems called autism spectrum disorders that appear in early childhood - usually before age 3. Though symptoms and severity vary, all autism disorders affect a child's ability to communicate and interact with others.
- Eating disorders. Eating disorders - such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder - are serious conditions. Children can become so preoccupied with food and weight that they focus on little else.
- Mood disorders. Mood disorders - such as depression and bipolar disorder - can cause a child to feel persistent feelings of sadness or extreme mood swings.
- Schizophrenia. This chronic mental illness causes a child to lose touch with reality (psychosis).
Read more here.
Children's Mental Health Awareness Day (Awareness Day) is Wednesday, May 9, 2012. The national tribute will celebrate "Heroes of Hope", sharing the message that with the help of caring adults, children and youth can demonstrate resilience despite having experienced a traumatic event, with a special focus on children and youth who have been served in the child welfare system. In 2012, SAMHSA hopes to increase community involvement by engaging local groups in "community conversations" about the importance of children's social and emotional well-being. For more information on how you can get involved in your community, please click here.
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Workshops, Conferences and Other Resources
A Community Forum will be held on April 4, 2012, to discuss the impact of Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), in Butte and neighboring counties. The Community Forum is sponsored by the California Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), and facilitated by two MHSOAC committees, the Client and Family Leadership Committee and the Cultural and Linguistic Competence Committee. The Community Forum will be held from 2:30 to 6:00 PM. at the Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 West East Avenue, Chico. More details here.
 Autism Lifespan is sponsoring the World Autism Awareness Faire Saturday, April 14th, 12:00 - 3:00 P.M. at the Rose Scott School at First Baptist Church, 850 Palmetto Avenue, Chico. Details are here.
Benefit Art Show for the Child Abuse Prevention Council. The Chico Art Center is hosting a Benefit Art Show for the Child Abuse Prevention Council, April 13 through April 15, 2012. It will take place at the Chico Art Center, located at the Old Rail Road Stop/Station (450 Orange Street, Chico). Opening celebration is to be held on Friday, April 13, from 7:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Saturday, April 14, show hours are 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. Sunday, April 15 show hours are 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M.
Submissions for art should be brought to the Chico Art Center Thursday April 12, at 6:30 P.M. For questions regarding the show and/or art submissions contact Molly LittleBird at 877-8087 or e-mail her. There are no specific requirements regarding submissions for art. The show will be all media and all sizes. The show is for donation and to show only. You may show 3 pieces of art but have to donate at least one submission to benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Council. All proceeds will directly to the Child Abuse Prevention Council.
Butte County and Glenn County SELPAs are sponsoring the 2012 Transition Fair on April 17th, 5:30 - 7:30 P.M., at the Masonic Family Center, 1110 West East Avenue in Chico. Participants will include employers, educators, service providers and many other valuable resources available to assist students with post secondary transition in adult life.
Behavior and School Success on the Autism Spectrum is presenting No More Meltdowns: Handling Challenging Behaviors & Teaching Social Skills, presented by Jed Baker, Ph.D., April 17 - 18 in the Long Beach area. This workshop is about understanding challenging behaviors in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other social communication disorders, with an overview of behavior management techniques. Specific, user-friendly strategies and techniques for providing relevant social skills instruction to children and teens with ASD will be shared during the conference. More details here.
Deepening the Dance of Attachment. Holly van Gulden will be offering parents and professionals an opportunity to spend a day of intensive training learning her methods and deepening their understanding of adopted and fostered children, particularly for those who have suffered trauma. Friday, April 20, Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 West East Avenue, Chico, 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Conference flyer here.
The 5th Annual Early Learning Summit presents Spring Advocacy Session: A Dialogue That Will Inform and Advocate for Our Early Childhood Education and Care Programs, Saturday, April 21st, 9:00 A.M. - 12:00 Noon, Chico Women's Club, 592 East Third Street, Chico. This presentation will focus on information about the need for high quality care and education care in our state. The agenda will include a presentation from Julie Weatheston and a panel discussion to provide information and strategies for advocacy for our current early childhood education and care system. For more information contact Steve Erwin (530) 898-5865.
Dr. Alex Stalcup of the New Leaf Treatment Center will be presenting Effects of Illicit and Prescription Drugs on the Fetus and Nursing Infant, and Best Practices for Intervention With Perinatal Drug Use, May 15th, 8:30 - 11:30 A.M. Presented by the Butte County First 5 Commission. For more information, please call (530) 538-6896.
A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Conference takes place June 21st at the Enloe Conference Center in Chico. The course objectives are: Identify the brain damage associated with FASD and key recommendations for working with persons with FASD across the lifespan. Learn about local resources and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Diagnostic Center during the lunch roundtable presentation. For more information e-mail Margie Ruegger.
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Gloria Balch, Deputy Director