COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL April 13, 2016
11A
April is National
Child Abuse
Prevention Month
As residents of Cottage Grove and participants in a
project to prevent child abuse and neglect, 90by30
(90by30.com), we believe in the importance of
happy and healthy families. We believe children
have the right to live in a safe and healthy
community. h e recent incidents of child abuse
in our community are heartbreaking. It is easy to
believe these things only happen to other people,
but one-third of Lane County residents, from all
walks of life, disclosed experiencing child abuse
or neglect in their youth on a recent University
of Oregon survey connected to our work. It is
tempting to wallow in grief, or possibly worse; you
may even be tempted to ignore the issue.
Maintaining hope in the face of children suf ering
takes great courage because you make yourself
vulnerable to further heartbreak. Shouldn’t we
though, as adults, have that courage on behalf
of our children? Child abuse and neglect can
be prevented! Each of us can i nd our part to
play in reducing child abuse and neglect in our
community.
We are fortunate to have many excellent support
organizations in South Lane County. Here are
some suggestions for engaging with them:
• Support an organization helping families in
our community – Family Relief Nursery, Head
Start, Community Sharing, Peggy’s Primary
Connection, or any of the organizations listing
volunteer opportunities at our countywide
Child Abuse Prevention Month website:
GetInvolvedLaneCounty.org.
• Contribute to help a neighbor – Pay It Forward
Cottage Grove on Facebook is one way to share
things you no longer need.
• Seek out new information about parenting –
Peggy’s Primary Connection - the Family Resource
Center of South Lane School District - is a hub of
family support for all families in Cottage Grove or
Creswell. LaneKids.org also is a great resource for
parents and caregivers, including articles, events,
resources, and information for parents.
• Check out the Resource Fair on April 23rd 10am-
3pm at the Cottage Grove Community Center
hosted by Family Relief Nursery to learn about
many other organizations helping children thrive.
Creswell Christian School &
Childcare
501 Holbrook Ln, Creswell
www.creswellchristianschool.com
541-895-4622
• Attend 90by30’s Regional Leadership Team events
and meetings: See 90by30.com for all dates. h e
next meeting in Cottage Grove is Monday April
25, 9-10:30am, at the Cottage Grove Community
Center located at 700 E. Gibbs. A special guest
speaker will talk about the impact of childhood
adversity over a lifetime, including how you can
prevent long-term harm.
Additional ideas to support children and families
in our community include:
• Build or contribute books to a Little Free Library
in your neighborhood.
• Of er help to a new parent without judgment –
bring a meal, of er to babysit, of er specii c help.
• Accept help when it is of ered – the strongest
people use the resources around them.
• Encourage a child in your life to teach you
something, like how to play a game.
• Organize a neighborhood activity, like a park
clean up or neighborhood block party.
• Blue pinwheels are the symbol for Child Abuse
Awareness Month. Host a Pinwheel making party
or a Pinwheel Garden during the month of April.
Will you play your part to build a nurturing
community for all families? For further
information, please go to GetInvolvedLaneCounty.
org for many additional ideas.
Signed,
Karla Snell, Jackie Lester, Alan Baas, Ana Maria
Dudley, and all the members of 90by30 South Lane
Regional Leadership Team
Karla Snell
Head Start of Lane County
Family & Community Engagement Consultant
541-747-2425 x1267 cell 541-579-7852
Where Child Abuse
Hurts Most
Sometimes the worst scars of child abuse can’t be seen. Whether physical or
emotional, abuse attacks a child’s self-esteem and emotional development, leaving
long-term emotional trauma and pain. You can help prevent child abuse by being
a nurturing parent or caregiver. By letting children know they are special,
competent and loved, you can help them develop positive self-images and happier
futures. If you feel overwhelmed, angry or frustrated as a parent, help is out
there for you. Look in your area for support groups and services, or talk to a
trusted friend, family member, pastor or doctor about what you can do to protect
and support your child. If we all do our part to prevent child abuse, we’ll get to
the heart of the matter.
This National Child Abuse Prevention Month message is brought to you by:
Cottage Grove Police Department
400 E. Main St.
Non-Emergency: 541-942-9145
April is National Child Abuse Prevention
Month. By knowing
the signs of child abuse, you can
help prevent it. If you suspect a
child is being abused, contact
your local police or child welfare
agency for guidance.
Potential victims of child abuse will often
exhibit the following signs:
Rose Wilde
Rural Outreach Coordinator
(541) 953-3643
rosew@90by30.com
90by30.com
Reduce child abuse in Lane County 90% by 2030
Parent Partnership
1310 S. 8th St., Cottage Grove
www.parentpartnership.org
541-942-2104
Great Days Early Education
403 N. River Rd, Cottage Grove
www.greatdays.org
541-942-7460
Dr. Brent Bitner, DDS
350 E. Washington Ave.
Cottage Grove
www.cgsmiles.com
541-942-7934
Pinocchio’s Pizza
1795 E. Main St, Cottage Grove
541-942-5531
Kyle Kishen Construction
541-222-9337
CCB#183679
Delight Valley Church
33087 Saginaw Rd.
541-942-7711
Cottage Grove Sentinel
116 N. 6th, PO Box 35
541-942-3325
• Sudden changes in behavior or
school performance.
• Neglect of physical or medical problems
brought to the parents’ attention.
• Learning problems that are not
attributed to specific physical or
psychological causes.
• Constant watchfulness, as if he or she is
preparing for something bad to happen.
• Lack of adult supervision and
reluctance to return to the home.
South Lane County Fire e & Re
Rescue
esc
scue
233 Harrison Ave., C.G. • 541-942-4493
THINK BEFORE
YOU REACT
April is National Child
Abuse Prevention Month,
a reminder that every
child deserves to feel
safe at home and in his
or her community.
If you feel you are in danger of harming your child,
help is available. Reach out to church or family support
resources in your community or speak confi dentially with
a Childhelp ® counselor at 800.422.4453.
South Lane
Mental Health Services, Inc.
1345 Birch Ave., Cottage Grove
541-942-3939 • slmh.org
To report possible child abuse or neglect,
call 800.422.4453 or contact your local child
protective services or law enforcement agency.