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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (April 12, 2017)
8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL APRIL 12, 2017 90 by 30 looks to decrease child abuse familyreliefnursery.org dianeh@frncg.org 541.942.4835 (T) 541.942.7359 (F) 541.729.4794 (C) 720 N. 14th St PO Box 1207 Cottage Grove, OR 97424 Strengthening Families & Building Community Diane Hazen Executive Director 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. We provide support and counseling. Call us at 541-942-3939 Decorations are popping up all over Cottage Grove to raise awareness of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The goal is to By Caitlyn May reduce child abuse cmay@cgsentinel.com by 90 percent by the year 2030 and this year, the 90 by 30 group is taking to the streets of Cottage Grove to help raise awareness. Nationally, the month of April is desig- nated as child abuse awareness month and is recognized in several different ways but locally efforts are being made to prevent the abuse and fund raise for tools that would of- fer children a better start from birth. "What we do every year is try to raise awareness and do the decorating to get people aware," said Pete Barrell, communi- ty services director for the city of Cottage Grove. Main St. has already been fl ooded with blue ribbons and pinwheels, as well as fl i- ers in fl ower planters to help the cause. Blue pinwheels will continue to pop up at busi- nesses throughout the month of April. The group is also currently working on a fundraising campaign to fund "baby boxes" for new parents. "Basically they're bassinets that we’re giving to every new family in the region which is about 250 babies a year," Barrell said. New parents will receive handmade boo- ties, a mini quilt and other newborn essen- tials totaling approximately $400. "They’re fantastic," Barrell said of the boxes, "because they’re a safe sleep system to help avoid SIDS and they've been hugely successful in Europe." The baby box program is voluntary but 90 by 30 will be seeking out new parents who wish to take part in the program. There is no cost to new families for signing up for the program and all families in the South Lane district are qualifi ed. 90 by 30 is currently fundraising to get the project up and running but is expected to launch the baby boxes this June. To donate, residents can visit 90by30. com or contact Barrell at (541) 767-4147. 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. Where Child Abuse Hurts Most Family Relief Nursery at city council By Caitlyn May cmay@cgsentinel.com Family Relief Nursery Executive Direc- tor Diane Hazen presented to the Cottage Grove City Council during the Monday, April 10 meeting. The organization, which opened in 1994, has served more than 2,000 families since its inception. With an offi ce now in Drain and Creswell, Hazen informed the council that the nursery was looking towards the future but would need help. "As a result of community support, the state now includes fund- ing for the nursery in its budget but that only accounts for 40 per- cent of the relief nursery's budget," she said. The remainder of the operating costs stem from community in- Creswell Christian School & Childcare 501 Holbrook Ln, Creswell www.creswellchristianschool.com 541-895-4622 Pinocchio’s Pizza 1795 E. Main St, Cottage Grove 541-942-5531 Parent Partnership 1310 S. 8th St., Cottage Grove www.parentpartnership.org 541-942-2104 volvement and other public fund sources. Even with limited funding, Hazen said the organization continues to see results with verifi ed data provided by Portland State Univer- sity that reiterates the group's impact in a community. According to Hazen, the nursery can boast statistics that include: 98.6 percent of families in the nursery have no further interaction with DHS or foster services. Likewise, the organization saves tax- payer money with a 4:1 return. "For every tax dollar spent, the state sees $4 saved on law en- forcement and foster related expenses," she said. The organization is current lending its efforts to local Child Abuse Prevention Month activities and services. Dr. Brent Bitner, DDS 350 E. Washington Ave. Cottage Grove www.cgsmiles.com 541-942-7934 Cottage Grove Sentinel 116 N. 6th, PO Box 35 541-942-3325 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: • 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