 Cherish Our Children!
During these challenging economic times, it is important that we continue to keep the safety and well-being of our children at the forefront of everything we do. We know and understand that families are stretched and stressed due to the worsening economic conditions and pending job losses. As grim as these conditions may be, there are many amazing local programs and fantastic, free family events that will allow you to cherish your children.
Spend more time with your family this week, give extra hugs and kisses to your children tonight and thank someone who has served as a support system to you. Let's continue to work together to affirm the children in our lives and in our community are special and deserve to be safe, cared for and loved.
Thank you to EVERYONE for doing something special for our community's most vulnerable children!
Sharon Pierce
President & CEO, The Villages
Sandy Runkle
Program Director, PCAI
 The Positive Zone
Join Susan Miller from 12:30-2:30 p.m. on Friday, November 14, as she shares how to get and stay in the Positive Zone. Her fun and motivational session will focus on the three "R's" (Responsibility, Resilience and Recognition) to help employees stay Positive for less stress and greater productivity.
Susan's special presentation
is a part of the Central Indiana Luncheon/Seminar and Prevention Council Retreat. The event will take place at the First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church, 4701 Central Ave. The cost for the lunch and the seminar is $10. For more information visit www.pcain.org.
Your Vote Counts
Millions of American children are in serious jeopardy today and that should be a front-burner issue for candidates and the news media. With that in mind, Prevent Child Abuse America
has partnered with Every Child Matters to urge the presidential candidates to address issues that impact children. Understand the
issues addressing Hoosier children and then be a champion for children by voting. Election Day is November 4. |
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Powerful Presentations Now Available
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana is proud to offer new presentations and resources to help individuals, councils and organizations care for and nurture Indiana's children.
 Zero to Three's Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: Parent-Provider Partnerships in Child Care:
This content-rich curricula is designed to help early childhood professionals promote positive parenting and healthy social-emotional development in children by building "protective factors" into their programs, and building strong partnerships with parents. Free.
 Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children: This award winning program is a revolutionary sexual abuse prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Stewards of Children is designed for organizations that serve children and youth. $5 per person.
 "I Never Meant"
is a short film that delves into the life of a family. Child abuse, stress, peer pressure, and neglect all play a role in this epic saga for home tranquility. Sibling rivalry proves to be a constant tug-of-war on the emotions and patience of a mother trying to hold it together. Follow the journey of a "real" family dealing with "real" issues. The presentation includes small group work and a lot of discussion. Free.
Call to schedule a presentation 317.542.7002 or e-mail your request to Dee Mazza, Prevention Program Coordinator, dmazza.pcain@villages.org. Please plan ahead and schedule presentations at least three weeks in advance. |
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More Callers Find Support
A partnership between The Villages,
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana (PCAI) and Connect2Help
™ (C2H) has resulted in reaching parents who previously had nowhere to turn. The special partnership formed in January, 2008 with a critical mission to serve those who called the 1-800-CHILDREN hotline seeking assistance. From January-June 2008, C2H answered 340 calls related to child abuse; a 61% increase compared to the same time period in 2007. Overall, C2H has experienced a dramatic increase (160%) in calls from people concerned about issues related to child abuse in the last five years. Together, The Villages, PCAI and C2H are making a huge impact on children and families in Indiana.
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Save the Date
 November 7: Chairish the Children
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana will join The Villages and Herron School of Art and Design for a special Chairish the Children auction of children's chair art. Herron students have transformed plain children's furniture into one-of-a kind works of art. The chairs will be on display at the
Indianapolis Artsgarden the week of November 3. A special reception and silent auction will take place Friday, November 7, 6-8 p.m., at the Indianapolis Artsgarden. Tickets for the November 7 special event are $10 and can be reserved by calling 1.800.874.6880. Money raised will be used to support child abuse prevention programs and services. |
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The Marion County Prevention Council, Champions for Children, is seeking volunteers to help carry out its mission of eliminating child abuse and neglect. For more information contact Donna Casebourn, 317.216.0403 or champforchildren@sbcglobal.net. |
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| Spotlight on Councils: Northern Indiana | |
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September was a busy time for members of northern Indiana Councils. Kicking off the month with a Council Retreat gave members an opportunity to learn, network and share ideas. Workshops were offered to council members to keep them informed, inspired and motivated.
Sharon Szymanski, interview coordinator for the CASIE Center, South Bend, provided the council with a presentation on "Fundraising for Councils". She shared personal and professional experiences as the former coordinator for the St. Joseph County Child Abuse Prevention Council responsible for several successful fundraising events.
Lynn Shaw
, clinical social worker, presented "Laughter for Life" and shared ideas and information for reducing life stress. Lynn describes herself as a perpetual student of human behavior and relationships. She has a rich 20 year history working in psychotherapy, management, mental health, health care, addictions, corrections, and education. By the end of Lynn's fun and interactive session, she had ordinarily reserved audience members were wearing red foam noses and "crazy eyes" glasses.
For more information about Prevention Councils visit www.pcain.org. | | | | |
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| PCAI Prevention Tip: Internet Safety |
Internet safety for your child starts with you. Prevent Child Abuse Indiana offers these simple Internet safety tips to help you and your child stay safe:
- Learn about the Internet
- Teach your child why Internet safety is important
- Go online together
- Keep the computer in a family area
- Agree to time limits
- Decide what material is off-limits
- Find out where your child has Internet access
- Check your Internet history log together
- Maintain trust and communication
- Research parental control tools
Reprinted, with permission, from the "Staying Safe on the Internet" brochure published by PCA America |
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 Nurturing Fathers
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana believs that every child deserves a NURTURING FATHER - a man who actively provides guidance, love and support to his children. PCAI proudly announces its second series of the Nurturing Fathers program - a 13-week program focused on parenting attitudes and behaviors to help strengthen their families by being active in their children's lives. Twelve fathers from the Edinburgh Correctional Facility are currently enrolled in the class.
These fathers will learn how to better communicate, how to discipline without violence, how to deal with different feelings, and how to manage anger. Research shows that participants in the program are less likely to offend again and their children are less likely to become incarcerated themselves. The men will be "graduating" from the class in June. |
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