The article “Parent’s Have A Right To Be Stressed, but Don’t Take It Out On Your Kids,” co-written by Dr. Bob Sege, states that just as prior generations were deeply affected by the Great Depression, the assassinations of Martin Luther King and the Kennedys and the horrors of 9/11, the Covid-19 pandemic may well be the defining moment in the lives of today’s children. That’s why we owe it to our children to focus on positive experiences during these difficult times, while minimizing adverse experiences that can wound children for a lifetime. We already know that positive experiences, especially close relationships, promote healthy child development and allow us to withstand the ups and downs of life beyond the current pandemic.

With April being Child Abuse Prevention Month, it is a perfect time to raise awareness and take actions to support children and create experiences that will help them understand, grow, and be resilient in this unprecedented time.

 

Reporting Abuse is #Essential4Kids during the COVID-19 Crisis

A MUST READ!  Missouri KidsFirst is kicking off #Essential4Kids, a campaign designed to educate adults on how to recognize and respond to child abuse and neglect in our communities during the COVID-19 crisis.

Unfortunately in times of instability and stress, rates of child abuse and neglect increase. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic spreads across the state, reports to the Missouri Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline have declined dramatically. Child advocates are concerned that as children stay at home, they are isolated from those places where adults often look out for their safety and well-being, including schools, child care facilities, places of worship and other public areas.

Check out these resources for more information:
#Essential4Kids: Missouri KidsFirst Announces New Resources to Protect Children from Abuse in Response to COVID-19 Crisis News Release
#Essential4Kids: Resources to Protect Kids From Abuse During COVID-Crisis

The future of our society is bright, and it rests with our children, who are the leaders, parents, citizens and workforce of the future. In turn, the well-being of our children is the responsibility of all of us. The Balancing ACES with HOPE document provides insight into the role of positive experience on child and family development.This report presents evidence for HOPE (Health Outcomes of Positive Experiences) based on newly released, compelling data that reinforce the need to promote positive experiences for children and families in order to foster healthy childhood development despite the adversity common in so many families. These data:

• • Establish a spirit of hope and optimism and make the case that positive experiences have lasting impact on human development and functioning, without ignoring well-documented concerns related to toxic environments.
  • Demonstrate, through science, the powerful contribution of positive relationships and experiences to the development of healthy children and adults.
  • Describe actions related to current social norms regarding parenting practices, particularly those associated with healthy child development. These actions are based on data that suggest that American adults are willing to intervene personally to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • Reflect upon the positive returns on investment that our society can expect as we make changes in policies, practices, and future research to support positive childhood environments that foster the healthy development of children.

Thus, this report contributes to a growing body of work – the Science of Thriving – that encourages us to better understand and support optimal child health and development.

 

How can we reduce ACEs and toxic stress during the COVID-19 pandemic? Many of us are concerned that increased stress might increase the risk for ACEs. For example, most child abuse happens when adults reach their breaking point. However, we are not powerless in the face of these challenges. Using HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) as a guide, this blog series, Love in the Time of Corona Virus, written by Dr. Bob Sege, provides suggestions to help reduce ACES.

The 2019 Prevention Resource Guide: Strong & Thriving Families was designed to support service providers as they work with families to promote child well-being & prevent child maltreatment.

It focuses on protective factors that build on family strengths to foster healthy child & youth development. The Resource Guide can be used along with the Protective Factors in Practice Scenarios, Tip Sheets, Outreach Materials & Activity Calendars to implement prevention strategies in your community.

Released in preparation for April–National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the guide provides information that anyone can use & share throughout the year including:
– information about the protective factors known to prevent child abuse
– tools to help build community awareness & support
– understanding child maltreatment
– tip sheets for parents in English & Spanish