April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Prevention is the best hope for reducing child abuse and neglect and improving the lives of children and families. Strengthening families and preventing child abuse requires a shared commitment of individuals and organizations in every community. For resources that discuss the framework for child abuse and neglect prevention, provide information on what to do when children are at risk for abuse or neglect, and link to State, Federal, and national organizations that support prevention initiatives please click here.

Responding to child abuse and neglect involves protecting children from harm and supporting families to reduce the risk of future harm to children. Reports from professionals and concerned citizens are received by child protective services (CPS) staff alerting them to concerns about a child's welfare. CPS staff may initiate an investigation to determine if a child has been or is at risk of being harmed. Staff may also assess the child's and family's needs or engage in other interventions to support the family's efforts to provide a safe, nurturing environment for their children. CPS professionals may work with law enforcement, courts, other professionals, and community members to protect children and support families.

Public awareness can be part of an overall approach to preventing child abuse and neglect. Find resources and information on sharing a message and educating the public, making an economic case for prevention, and creating community support and partnerships to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Youth & Horses Graduation

On Tuesday, April 12 the first session of Youth & Horses concluded. The eight high school students showed their horsemanship skills both on the ground and in the saddle as family, friends, public safety officers and school administrators watched with big smiles. After the horsemanship demonstrations, Officer Jim Davis served everyone a delicious meal of hotdogs, burgers, chips, watermelon and lemonade. Chef Cecelia Garza of Wild Tastes Catering provided delicious gourmet cupcakes to top off the celebration. Each student was honored with an award highlighting their strengths and each was given a framed photograph taken during the program.

Each week, the students and their mentors were transported to Dream Power Horsemanship in Gilroy for a 90-minute lesson. The drive time was used to inspire the students to think about their future with a variety of presentations and workshops. During the nine-week program, students learned life skills such as responsibility, patience, work ethic, teamwork and communication while learning to handle and ride horses. They worked with both full sized horses, miniature horses and a miniature donkey.

The program, part of the Sunnyvale Youth Mentoring Initiative, was co-coordinated by DPS and Reach Potential Movement and was made possible through contributions from several generous sponsors:

Cintas Document Management

Sonitrol Security Systems

Royal Coaches

Sports Basement

Wells Fargo Advisors

St. Luke Lutheran
Century Graphics

Royal Coaches Tours

Summit Riders Horseman's Association

Norm and Donna Betts

Brad Frederickson

Sunnyvale Boxing Club

Promotions

Crossing Guard

Name: Hong Nguyen 

Intersection: Dunholm Way / Condor Ave 

School: Stocklmeir

Length of service: 8 years

Safety quote: "Wait For The Whistle"