{"id":37648,"date":"2021-05-06T01:27:26","date_gmt":"2021-05-06T01:27:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/ftf\/?p=37648"},"modified":"2021-05-06T01:28:26","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T01:28:26","slug":"prevent-child-abuse-and-neglect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ftf-stg.magnetry.com\/es\/2021\/05\/prevent-child-abuse-and-neglect\/","title":{"rendered":"Calling communities to action to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect"},"content":{"rendered":"

A new child abuse prevention campaign focused on ways communities can help strengthen families is the focus of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona\u2019s<\/a> Lean on Me AZ project.<\/p>\n

Lean stands for Listening. Empathy. Affirmation. Non-judgement.<\/p>\n

The project started during the COVID-19 pandemic when concerns were raised that if children and families didn\u2019t have access to their typical support systems such as school, work and church, child abuse and neglect would increase.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had gone into lock down and people were worried about the children,\u201d said Claire Louge, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona. \u201cThe pandemic was causing changes that were stressful to families. And when the feeling of being overwhelmed goes up, that\u2019s when child abuse and neglect happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the concerns also led to a different question.<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we support families right now?\u201d Louge said. \u201cIt changed the energy of the discussion. \u00a0Why are we focused only on reporting? What role do communities play in prevention?\u201d<\/p>\n

The Casey Family Programs<\/a> funded the Collective Impact for Child Safety and Well-Being, a group of leaders, including Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, that is working toward the vision that all children and families throughout Arizona are safe, stable and flourishing to host 13 group talks across Arizona.<\/p>\n

They asked questions like: \u201cWhat does supporting families look like in your community?\u201d And \u201cTell us about a time you felt supported as a parent.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose discussions were incredibly rich and inspiring,\u201d Louge said. \u201cPeople know how to do this intuitively. And they know what a strong community feels like and looks like. And when they choose to deliberately do those strengthening behaviors, to actively be helpful and not judge, it offers hope. That\u2019s what creates a culture of parent support.\u201d<\/p>\n

The toolkit that resulted offers specific suggestions on how everyone, not just parents, can work to strengthen families through everyday words and actions. Also included are quotes and stories from Arizonans sharing experiences about times they\u2019ve felt supported or judged.<\/p>\n

View the Lean on Me AZ toolkit<\/p>\n

The Lean on Me AZ toolkit is an effort to raise awareness about the factors that protect families from overwhelming stress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

view the toolkit<\/p>\n

The kit is based on the five protective factors framework that has been proven to help mitigate or eliminate stress more effectively for families. The five\u00a0Protective\u00a0Factors\u00a0are:<\/p>\n