or day care centers.

Be a nurturing parent.

Children need to know that they are special,loved and capable of fol-lowing their dreams.

Help a friend,neighbor or relative.

Being a parent isn’t easy.Offer a helping hand takecare of the children, sothe parent(s) can rest or spend time together.

Help yourself.

When the big and little problems of your every-day life pile up to the point you feel over-whelmed and out of con-trol – take time out.Don’t take it out on your kid.

If your baby cries…

It can be frustrating tohear your baby cry.Learn what to do if your baby won’t stopcrying. Never shake ababy – shaking a child may result in severe in- jury or death.

Monitor your child’stelevision and videoviewing.

Watching violent filmsand TV programs canharm young children.

Report suspectedabuse or neglect.

If you have reason tobelieve a child has beenor may be harmed, call your local department of children and family ser-vices or you local policedepartment.

Since 1972, PreventChild Abuse America(PCA America) has ledthe way inbuildingawareness,providingeducationand inspiringhope to everyone in-volved in the effort toprevent the abuse andneglect of our nation'schildren. Working withour chapters, we provideleadership to promoteand implement preven-tion efforts at both thenational and local levels.With the help of our statechapters and concernedindividuals like you we'revaluing children,strengthening families andengaging communi-tiesnationwide.Ournational campaign andlocal programs, pre-vention initiatives andeventshelp spread theword in your community,creating awarenessthatprevention is possible.We are a family of friends, professionals,volunteers, donors andparents who are prevent-ing child abuse and ne-glect before it everstarts.To learn even moreabout preventing childabuse and neglect clickon http://www.preventchildabuse.org/help/reach_out.shtmlWhat You Can Do: ReachOut - - Anything you do tosupport kids and parentscan help reduce the stressthat often leads to abuseand neglect.

Be a friend to a parentyou know

Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiencesto provide reassurance and support. If a parent seemsto be struggling, offer tobaby-sit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear.Show you understand.

Be a friend to a childyou know.

Remember their names. Smile whenyou talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show youcare.

Talk to your neighborsabout looking out forone another's children.

Encourage a supportivespirit among parents inyour apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.

Give your used clothing,furniture and toys foruse by another family.

This can help relieve thestress of financial burdensthat parents sometimestake out on their kids.

Volunteer your time andmoney for programs

inyour community that support children and families,like parent support groups

Prevent Child Abuse Month

This Issue:

Prevent ChildAbuse Month1Hands arenot for hit-ting2Shells withButter andCheese212 Alterna-tives forParents2

Healthy Kansas Kids

April 2010Volume 2 Issue 4

Prevent ChildAbuse America

invites

YOU

to holda house party toincrease publicawareness abouthow child abuse andneglect can be pre-vented and why it isimportant to ourcommunities to pre-vent it.

PRIVATE PARTIES

Hosted by individu-als for friends andfamily.

COMMUNITYEVENTS

Block parties,neighborhood sup-pers and communityconcerts

PROMOTIONS BYBUSINESS

(bars,restaurants, retail-ers, home based cosmetic demonstra-tions or other busi-ness sales meetings)