Go Blue Day is Friday, April 16.  Please join us by wearing blue to show your support for Missouri’s kids and the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect.  April serves as a reminder that we each have a responsibility to keep our children safe now and throughout the year.

The Missouri Coalition for Oral Health (MCOH) will host the 2009 Oral Health Summit, Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Holiday Inn Select Center, Columbia.  The Summit, Integrating Dental & Medical Services:  Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives, will focus upon the system of care and how it reaches vulnerable clients in hopes of improving the overall quality of care to address both medical and dental needs while reducing costs.  According to MCOH Executive Director Sarah Grim, "Untreated oral disease can have negative impacts upon vulnerable populations with chronic diseases such as diabetes, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), congestive heart failure, and stroke.  In addition, pregnant women may be at higher risk for low-birth weight babies due to poor oral care." MCOH is a collaborative of stakeholders who have a desire to improve oral health in the state.  For more information about the summit contact MCOH or view the agenda online.

Breaking the Cycle of Abuse is the main theme of the 2nd annual Community Hope Conference to be held October 22 and 23, 2009 on the campus of Missouri Southern State University (MSSU), Joplin. Sponsored by The Alliance of Southwest Missouri, in conjunction with Economic Security Corporation and other community organizations, the event hopes to raise community awareness on the critical and often devastating issues surrounding family violence and sexual abuse.  An evening event entitled "Breaking the Cycle, Beating the Odds" featuring guest speaker Johnnetta McSwain, is scheduled for October 22, 6 p.m. in Corley Auditorium on the MSSU Campus.  Cost is free and open to the public. For additional information contact Nancy at (417)782-9899 or register online.

Missouri KidsFirst will be conducting six regional child sexual abuse prevention workshops this fall entitled Stewards of Children: Adults Resolving Child Sexual Abuse.  Designed by Darkness to Light primarily for organizations that serve children and youth, Stewards of Children is a prevention training program that educates adults to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.  Each participant will receive an interactive workbook and a 7-Step Guide containing the complete program curriculum. 

Workshops will be held on the following dates and locations:
September 21, Cape Girardeau
September 22, St. Louis
September 29, Columbia
September 30, Springfield
October 1, Warrensburg
October 13, St. Joseph

Cost is $20 per person.  Seating is limited and early registration is encouraged.  In addition, a facilitator training for the Stewards of Children curriculum will be held October 26, 2009 in Jefferson City.  For more information contact Missouri KidsFirst at (573)632-4600 or by e-mail at joy@missourikidsfirst.org.

The Cass County Child Abuse Neglect Council is sponsoring a workshop on The Link Between Animal Abuse and Other Forms of Family Violence presented by internationally acclaimed lecturer, author and humane educator Philip S. Arkow, Director, The Link, American Humane Association. The event will take place Monday, September 14, 2009, 9:00 AM to 12 noon at the Community Center, 2400 Jefferson Parkway in Harrisonville. Registration is $15 per person if received by September 1 and $20 thereafter.  POST credits for Law Enforcement and MoBar MCLE are available. For more information contact Mary at (816)380-8431.  [Print Registration Form - pdf]

[Read more...]

With funding from the Children's Trust Fund (CTF), Missouri's State Technical Assistance Team (STAT) will provide regional training at four locations across the state on Understanding and Interviewing Child Molesters.  Locations include Kirksville (September 2), Columbia (September 3), Springfield (September 30), and Cape Girardeau (October 13 & 14).  Presented by Captain William Carson of the Maryland Heights Police Department, each session will cover numerous topics including understanding the psychology of various types of child molesters.

Sessions are free to all participants in the professional child protection community.  Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged! Register online or call (573)751-5980 for further information.

Make plans to attend the Second Annual Child Abuse Prevention Summit hosted by Missouri KidsFirst.  The event is scheduled from 10:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. August 20, 2009 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Columbia.  Registration is $30 per person. Jay Wood, MO KidsFirst Executive Director, encourages anyone engaged in child abuse prevention to participate.

"We want to provide an opportunity for child abuse prevention leaders at the community level to come together in a collaborative environment to discuss pressing issues regarding the safety and well being of children and families.  This dialogue began last year and there's much work to be done."

Last year the inaugural summit drew nearly 100 child advocates from around the state.  Registration information is available at Missouri KidsFirst or by calling (573)632-4600.  Individuals are asked to register by August 14.