As National Child Abuse Prevention Month begins, the coronavirus health crisis has ended any awareness-building community events that Prevent Child Abuse Arizona had planned during April.<\/p>\n
So the organization\u2019s focus has shifted to a series of free webinars designed to help professionals who work with families build their own resilience in order to help families more effectively.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf providers aren\u2019t self-regulated, they can\u2019t coach families,\u201d said Claire Louge, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. \u201cIt\u2019s a parallel process. We have to be able to care for ourselves to help others stabilize.\u201d<\/p>\n
Every Wednesday throughout April, a different webinar geared to service providers will be available. Topics range from the unique needs of infants and toddlers in foster care, to looking at Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and comparing those ACEs to positive childhood experiences that work to mitigate risk.<\/p>\n
The webinars come at a time when families and children are social distancing and often find themselves in social isolation.<\/p>\n
\u201cParents are overtaxed, more so than usual,\u201d Louge said. \u201cThey\u2019re really doing three jobs at once, they\u2019re doing their job, being their child\u2019s teacher and a parent. Even the most stable of families are undergoing stress right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it\u2019s a situation that could result in more cases of child abuse and neglect. But Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is working with community partners to get families the tools to build their resilience and help keep them stable.<\/p>\n
The organization, which doesn\u2019t provide direct services, is instead working to provide a connection to resources for professionals who work with families. Since children under 6 are the most likely to be the victims of abuse and neglect, First Things First, Arizona\u2019s early childhood agency is sharing Prevent Child Abuse Arizona\u2019s tools to help community partners support families as they navigate this stressful time.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the time right now to prevent future abuse,\u201d Louge said. \u201cLet\u2019s help children and parents build social and emotional skills to help us prevent things before they happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Louge wants service providers to change their lens of how they look at families.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been hearing from a lot of providers and professionals who are really worried right now,\u201d she said. \u201cChildren and families don\u2019t have access to their typical support systems, for children that\u2019s school. And for parents, that\u2019s work and church. They\u2019re losing access to one of the most important protective factors: social connections.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead of focusing on encouraging people to report abuse, Louge wants to shift the focus to how to support families in the moment.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook at families in a way that seeks to strengthen them in a deliberate way and offer support specifically. We need to do what we can to connect creatively with parents in our lives through our work and personal lives and prepare ourselves to support them in full force.\u201d<\/p>\n
Free Webinars<\/p>\n
Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is offering free webinars during Prevent Child Abuse Month<\/p>\n
Register now<\/p>\n
Connection Before Correction\u2014Why Attachment<\/strong> Matters<\/strong> Parenting is hard, parenting children with trauma histories is a whole different ballgame. This workshop will show how care providers can assess past attachment patterns that lead to negative behaviors, reinterpret those behaviors and provide relationship-based guidance and parenting. Relationship-based interventions to address trauma and behavioral needs will give participants tools to try at home.<\/p>\n Preventing and Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences<\/strong> Childhood trauma affects later adult health and wellbeing. This training will delve into the revolutionary Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study, an ongoing body of research study that demonstrates the link between early trauma and adult behavior. You\u2019ll learn how to help those who have experienced childhood trauma build resilience through protective factors and positive childhood experiences.<\/p>\n The Unique Needs of Infants and Toddlers in Foster Care<\/strong> Science and research tell us that young children have unique needs when faced with trauma and attachment disruptions caused by removal. Participants will gain knowledge about brain development; stress and trauma; attachment; how relationships can heal; and resources available to help.<\/p>\n Stress, Trauma, and the Trauma-Informed Approach<\/strong> How does stress negatively impact your life? This workshop will delve into the body\u2019s natural response to stress, and use this as a lens for understanding the impact of trauma on human thinking and behavior. Participants will learn simple stress reduction techniques they can use anywhere, and learn how to apply the trauma-informed approach to their work with people.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona offers free webinars to help professionals help families build their resilience.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6239,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[86],"class_list":["post-29140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-family-support"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n10-11 a.m., April 8<\/p>\n
\n10-11 a.m., April 15<\/p>\n
\n10-11 a.m., April 22<\/p>\n
\n10-11 a.m., April 29<\/p>\n