Well, summer is almost here. Your children are almost done with school and the month of May is coming. Literally, the month of May starts tomorrow. As most of you know, here at Family Builders and all across America, April is Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month and its various activities have been in full swing. Of course, it is so important to prevent child abuse and promote its awareness all year long - not just in the month of April.
Child abuse doesn't stop just because it is the first of May and CAP month is over. It doesn't stop because organizations like Family Builders exist and try to spread the word to create awareness. Child abuse can only end when the whole world is united in a common goal of spreading the news about child abuse, knows the signs, and hears the facts about the horrors and cruelties of child abuse all across the country and all over the world.
Because today is the last month of April, I wanted to share a few inspirational videos with you to help you spread the word about child abuse prevention in your own life and among people that you know. The more we help to spread the word, the more people will become aware of the problem, and maybe, just maybe, we can all help to make child abuse go away:
Child Abuse Prevention PSA
Together We Can Prevent Child Abuse & Neglect
Effects of Child Abuse in Oklahoma
For more information on child abuse awareness and prevention or if you know of a child that is being abused, or a family that is in crisis, please visit our website and get in contact with us: www.familybuildersok.org
Spread the word, share these videos, and help to prevent child abuse not just in April, but in all 12 months of the year, 365 days of the year!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Child Abuse in Oklahoma : Statistics You Need to Know
So, last week I shared with you some facts and signs of child abuse and neglect. I hope that many of you out there - whether you are a parent, a teacher, a child care worker, or just someone who spends most of their days with children or have children that are near and dear to your hearts - found some of what we discussed helpful and feel armed and ready to identify and report abuse if you see it.
Today, I would like to share with you some of the facts and statistics from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services fiscal year report and findings on child abuse and neglect. You can read their report yourself at http://www.okdhs.org/NR/rdonlyres/3961E199-D87F-446E-9B95-123442A69EE5/0/S12091_ChildAbuseandNeglectStatistics_cwsoprs_01012013.pdf
The fiscal year runs from July 2011 through June 2012. As of today, we are almost to the end of the next fiscal year, which will end after June 2013. Therefore, some of this data is a little outdated, but still important to consider until the next report brings us the most up-to-date data.
So, last year OKDHS received 68, 111 reports on families and determined after stringent screening that 32, 421 reports had allegations that met the definition, as outline by the state of Oklahoma, of abuse and neglect. These required investigation. That means that 48% of reports of abuse were determined to be abusive situations.
In Oklahoma County alone there were 6,540 accepted cases alone. That is 17.9 cases accepted every single day. Which means that the state total was 88.2 allegations per day that met the definition of abuse last year in the state of Oklahoma.
These are staggering numbers! In order for you to apply the knowledge, facts, and signs that we discussed in last weeks blog, we at Family Builders think it is extremely important for you to understand what the numbers of abuse look like in our state. These are children - your children, our children, children you know, friends of your own children - from all demographics, all types of households and religions, that are being abused every single day in this state. That is so sad! But you can prevent it. Remember to know the facts, and recognize the signs. You can refer to our website for advice or call if you need to report a case of abuse! www.familybuildersok.org
Remember, abuse happens every single day. Stay informed!
Enjoy the week and enjoy your kids!
Today, I would like to share with you some of the facts and statistics from the Oklahoma Department of Human Services fiscal year report and findings on child abuse and neglect. You can read their report yourself at http://www.okdhs.org/NR/rdonlyres/3961E199-D87F-446E-9B95-123442A69EE5/0/S12091_ChildAbuseandNeglectStatistics_cwsoprs_01012013.pdf
The fiscal year runs from July 2011 through June 2012. As of today, we are almost to the end of the next fiscal year, which will end after June 2013. Therefore, some of this data is a little outdated, but still important to consider until the next report brings us the most up-to-date data.
So, last year OKDHS received 68, 111 reports on families and determined after stringent screening that 32, 421 reports had allegations that met the definition, as outline by the state of Oklahoma, of abuse and neglect. These required investigation. That means that 48% of reports of abuse were determined to be abusive situations.
In Oklahoma County alone there were 6,540 accepted cases alone. That is 17.9 cases accepted every single day. Which means that the state total was 88.2 allegations per day that met the definition of abuse last year in the state of Oklahoma.
These are staggering numbers! In order for you to apply the knowledge, facts, and signs that we discussed in last weeks blog, we at Family Builders think it is extremely important for you to understand what the numbers of abuse look like in our state. These are children - your children, our children, children you know, friends of your own children - from all demographics, all types of households and religions, that are being abused every single day in this state. That is so sad! But you can prevent it. Remember to know the facts, and recognize the signs. You can refer to our website for advice or call if you need to report a case of abuse! www.familybuildersok.org
Remember, abuse happens every single day. Stay informed!
Enjoy the week and enjoy your kids!
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
University of Oklahoma's "Big Event" Comes to Family Builders
Last Saturday, the University of Oklahoma sent a group of student volunteers from their "Big Event" day team, to help add a fresh layer of white paint to the walls of Family Builders.
OKCgood.com covered the event for us and provided a little bit of video coverage for the day. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtp3BTAMoBE
OKCgood.com covered the event for us and provided a little bit of video coverage for the day. Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gtp3BTAMoBE
Learn the Facts, Know the Signs: Prevent Child Abuse
The month of April is all about child abuse prevention and awareness. At Family Builders, we are all about child abuse prevention and awareness. In the Oklahoma County, there are 84 children every day who will be reported as suspected victims of child abuse. Merriam-Webster's online dictionary defines abuse as:
"physical maltreatmeat"
"a corrupt practice"
"improper or excessive use"
"language that condemns or vilifies unjustly and angrily"
"to use as to injure or damage"
"to attack in words"
All of these definitions can be applied to the abuse of a child. This abuse can happen in homes all across the world, in all demographic areas and geographic regions; among educated and uneducated; rich or poor; among members of all religions. Child abuse is everywhere.
As a parent, aunt, uncle, cousin, older sibling, teacher, nurse, day-care center worker, etc. it is extremely important for you to be aware of the facts of child abuse and know the signs in children that are victims of abuse. Below, I have included a few links to some really helpful and useful websites that can educate you about the facts of child abuse and neglect.
http://www.kidpower.org/abuse-prevention/
http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/childabuse_learnthefacts.htm?gclid=CKCMmPG2z7YCFceDQgodWDYA0A
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm
Here at Family Builders, we want you to help your families avoid the painful scars of child abuse. If you are or someone you know is abusing their child, or you suspect you know a child that is the victim of child abuse, please get in touch with us. Visit our website at www.familybuildersok.org
Our fact sheet has been provided below: Learn the Facts, Know the Signs. Help keep your children and all children of Oklahoma safe. Enjoy your kids!
"physical maltreatmeat"
"a corrupt practice"
"improper or excessive use"
"language that condemns or vilifies unjustly and angrily"
"to use as to injure or damage"
"to attack in words"
All of these definitions can be applied to the abuse of a child. This abuse can happen in homes all across the world, in all demographic areas and geographic regions; among educated and uneducated; rich or poor; among members of all religions. Child abuse is everywhere.
As a parent, aunt, uncle, cousin, older sibling, teacher, nurse, day-care center worker, etc. it is extremely important for you to be aware of the facts of child abuse and know the signs in children that are victims of abuse. Below, I have included a few links to some really helpful and useful websites that can educate you about the facts of child abuse and neglect.
http://www.kidpower.org/abuse-prevention/
http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/childabuse_learnthefacts.htm?gclid=CKCMmPG2z7YCFceDQgodWDYA0A
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.cfm
Here at Family Builders, we want you to help your families avoid the painful scars of child abuse. If you are or someone you know is abusing their child, or you suspect you know a child that is the victim of child abuse, please get in touch with us. Visit our website at www.familybuildersok.org
Our fact sheet has been provided below: Learn the Facts, Know the Signs. Help keep your children and all children of Oklahoma safe. Enjoy your kids!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Recap of Family Builders' "Walk a Mile" Luncheon
To help us kick off Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, last Thursday, April 4th, Family Builders held its first child abuse awareness and prevention luncheon, call "Walk A Mile in Their Shoes." This inaugural event's mission was to allow people of all walks of life, demographics, nationalities, and professions to have the chance to "walk a mile" in the shoes of an individual who may have suffered abuse, suffered due to abuse, or found themselves in the position of abuser. The luncheon was held at the Oklahoma History Center and catered by Running Wild catering services. Here is the link to a great video that www.okcgood.com did for us, re-capping our luncheon:
http://youtu.be/1zTuGMigzWA
Family Builders' mission is to strengthen families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect and other family violence. Our goal is to educate families so that they are able to protect themselves from abuse in all forms. The purpose of our first "Walk a Mile" luncheon was to inform members of the community of the vast amounts of child abuse that occur each day in their city, while showing them that Family Builders is strategically positioned to help families who have fallen victim to abuse. However, without the support of the community, what Family Builders does each day would be almost impossible. This luncheon allowed our organization's voice to be heard and our message to be spread to those individuals sitting in the room.
Our hope is that those individuals who attended and participated in the luncheon will carry our message of what we do as well as our mission, to those people that they know and interact with each day. These individuals as well as their peers and the people they know, are our community - and community involvement is key to protecting children and families from abuse. Spreading the word and keeping our community informed on the signs of abuse, the statistics of abuse in our state/area, and knowing how and where to report all types of abuse will be a major factor in helping Family Builders to achieve abuse prevention.
Thank you to all who attended the luncheon! We are so thankful for your support and the message that you will be spreading for our cause. If you missed the luncheon, but would still like to be involved in supporting or volunteering at Family Builders, visit our website at: www.familybuildersok.org
Our next community event will be Saturday, June 15th, over Father's Day Weekend. Uur second annual "Chalk the Walk" chalk art festival and competition will be held in the Plaza Art District this year, including a whole bunch of family-friendly activities, chalk art competitions for all ages and talents of artists, and fun food and music! Stay tuned to our social media for more info!
www.facebook.com/familybuildersok
@fambuildersok on Twitter
Again, thank you to everyone for their support and attendance. We look forward to seeing more of all of you. Remember, spread the word - help us prevent child abuse and neglect! Enjoy your week and enjoy your kids!
http://youtu.be/1zTuGMigzWA
Family Builders' mission is to strengthen families in order to prevent child abuse and neglect and other family violence. Our goal is to educate families so that they are able to protect themselves from abuse in all forms. The purpose of our first "Walk a Mile" luncheon was to inform members of the community of the vast amounts of child abuse that occur each day in their city, while showing them that Family Builders is strategically positioned to help families who have fallen victim to abuse. However, without the support of the community, what Family Builders does each day would be almost impossible. This luncheon allowed our organization's voice to be heard and our message to be spread to those individuals sitting in the room.
Our hope is that those individuals who attended and participated in the luncheon will carry our message of what we do as well as our mission, to those people that they know and interact with each day. These individuals as well as their peers and the people they know, are our community - and community involvement is key to protecting children and families from abuse. Spreading the word and keeping our community informed on the signs of abuse, the statistics of abuse in our state/area, and knowing how and where to report all types of abuse will be a major factor in helping Family Builders to achieve abuse prevention.
Thank you to all who attended the luncheon! We are so thankful for your support and the message that you will be spreading for our cause. If you missed the luncheon, but would still like to be involved in supporting or volunteering at Family Builders, visit our website at: www.familybuildersok.org
Our next community event will be Saturday, June 15th, over Father's Day Weekend. Uur second annual "Chalk the Walk" chalk art festival and competition will be held in the Plaza Art District this year, including a whole bunch of family-friendly activities, chalk art competitions for all ages and talents of artists, and fun food and music! Stay tuned to our social media for more info!
www.facebook.com/familybuildersok
@fambuildersok on Twitter
Again, thank you to everyone for their support and attendance. We look forward to seeing more of all of you. Remember, spread the word - help us prevent child abuse and neglect! Enjoy your week and enjoy your kids!
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
April is: Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month
April is such a neat month here at Family Builders. April is the national Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month, and underlines the purpose of all that we do here at Family Builders. Preventing child abuse and neglect, while prohibiting and negating all types of family violence is our mission and the basis for all of the core values that we uphold.
Being aware that child abuse does indeed happen in your town, your community, and sometimes in the homes of people that you know and love, can be very powerful in helping to prevent that abuse. April is a month about promoting this awareness so that the community and individuals can prevent it or stop the abuse from ever occurring in the first place.
Here in Oklahoma City, the annual CAP Day at the Capitol, hosted by Smart Start OKC,is being held tomorrow, April 3rd, at the Oklahoma City Capitol building. This event is held each year to help encourage community involvement and seek out legislators, in order to encourage them to continue to make a difference in the lives of Oklahoma children. The event is the official kick off for the month of April and Child Abuse Prevention Awareness. The national color of the month is blue, so be sure to wear some blue tomorrow, April 3rd. Here are a few links for more info on CAP Day at the Capitol
http://www.smartstartok.org/blog/cap-day-capital
http://www.ok.gov/health/Child_and_Family_Health/Family_Support_and_Prevention_Service/Office_of_Child_Abuse_Prevention/Child_Abuse_Prevention_Awareness/
http://www.okdhs.org/library/news/rel/2012/03/cfsd03292012.htm
Even though April is the "official" month of child abuse prevention awareness, it is important to remember that these cruelties to children happen 365 days a year, every day, everywhere - not just in April. Educate yourself and others about these tragedies and do your part to report and recognize the signs of child abuse, in your own children and in others'.
Be aware that child abuse and neglect IS currently happening. This abuse spans every demographic, geographic area, and occurs in various shapes and forms. Make your communities, your work places, your churches, your social clubs, and your children all aware that child abuse and neglect is occurring all around them. Education of these horrors can help to prevent them. Help us to protect Oklahoma children, by knowing the facts and the signs of child abuse.
www.familybuildersok.org
Hug those kids tight and protect them always! Have a great week and wear blue all month long!
Being aware that child abuse does indeed happen in your town, your community, and sometimes in the homes of people that you know and love, can be very powerful in helping to prevent that abuse. April is a month about promoting this awareness so that the community and individuals can prevent it or stop the abuse from ever occurring in the first place.
Here in Oklahoma City, the annual CAP Day at the Capitol, hosted by Smart Start OKC,is being held tomorrow, April 3rd, at the Oklahoma City Capitol building. This event is held each year to help encourage community involvement and seek out legislators, in order to encourage them to continue to make a difference in the lives of Oklahoma children. The event is the official kick off for the month of April and Child Abuse Prevention Awareness. The national color of the month is blue, so be sure to wear some blue tomorrow, April 3rd. Here are a few links for more info on CAP Day at the Capitol
http://www.smartstartok.org/blog/cap-day-capital
http://www.ok.gov/health/Child_and_Family_Health/Family_Support_and_Prevention_Service/Office_of_Child_Abuse_Prevention/Child_Abuse_Prevention_Awareness/
http://www.okdhs.org/library/news/rel/2012/03/cfsd03292012.htm
Even though April is the "official" month of child abuse prevention awareness, it is important to remember that these cruelties to children happen 365 days a year, every day, everywhere - not just in April. Educate yourself and others about these tragedies and do your part to report and recognize the signs of child abuse, in your own children and in others'.
Be aware that child abuse and neglect IS currently happening. This abuse spans every demographic, geographic area, and occurs in various shapes and forms. Make your communities, your work places, your churches, your social clubs, and your children all aware that child abuse and neglect is occurring all around them. Education of these horrors can help to prevent them. Help us to protect Oklahoma children, by knowing the facts and the signs of child abuse.
www.familybuildersok.org
Hug those kids tight and protect them always! Have a great week and wear blue all month long!
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