According to CDC data from 2024, shared by the National Children’s Alliance, child abuse is pervasive, experienced by 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 13 boys. About 91% of abuse happens in a relationship with someone the child knows and trusts, which is why it may go unreported for years. It’s not just ‘stranger danger’, although as a story in today’s Boston Globe shows, our youth are vulnerable to predators in all forms. These are daunting statistics with horrific outcomes for our children and communities, which is why it’s empowering that we can each prepare ourselves to help should a child reach out to us. 

How to respond if a child reaches out to you

When a child discloses abuse, be present and respond without judgment. This initial disclosure is an act of immense courage and vulnerability, and it necessitates a supportive and validating response. Children who muster the bravery to speak out about their experiences of abuse deserve to be heard, believed, and reassured that they are safe and loved. Avoid expressing doubt, blame, or disbelief, as this can retraumatize the child and deter them from seeking further help. Instead, offer support, empathy, and understanding, and assure the child that the abuse is not their fault and that they have done nothing wrong.

Tell the child that they are:

• Brave - for sharing, and for knowing this is hard to talk about.
• Doing the right thing - acknowledging their decision to come forward.
• Not in trouble - assuring them that they are safe with you.

Thank them for telling you, and do not ask for details or minimize their experience. Then reach out for help. The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Greenfield and Orange serves Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region, providing services free of charge that are delivered in a youth-friendly environment and sensitive manner. Here is a helpful YouTube video from the Committee for Children, “How to Respond to Sexual Abuse Disclosure,” which the CAC uses in their Keeping Kids Safe prevention training.

Below are further resources to contact if you are seeking help or would like further information: 

• National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
• The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE

Challenges in Rural Communities

Rural areas are home to conditions such as lower socioeconomic status and education levels, which impact parents’ and caregivers' sense of community and create environments where they must rely on supports, such as childcare, that are available rather than what they would ideally choose. These conditions and the reality that rural communities often have limited resources and infrastructure can make it harder to prevent and address child abuse. Challenges we face include:

• Geographic Isolation: Rural areas can be geographically isolated, making it difficult for families to access support services and for professionals to identify and intervene in cases of abuse.
• Social Isolation: Smaller, close-knit communities can sometimes lead to reluctance to report abuse.
• Economic Stress: Rural communities often have higher rates of poverty, which is a known risk factor for child abuse. Financial stress can put families under immense pressure.
• Limited Access to Services: In rural areas, access to mental health care, social services, and law enforcement can be limited. This includes fewer child protective service workers.
• Cultural Factors: Some rural communities may have strong cultural norms or beliefs that make it challenging to address child abuse.
• Lack of Anonymity: In small towns, people often know each other, which can make it difficult for victims to report abuse or seek help without fear of being identified or judged.

Prevention Strategies

The prevention of child abuse requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the various challenges faced by families and communities. The CAC spearheads prevention work in our area. They offer a regional implementation of the SafeKids Thrive Prevention Framework, with free guidance and training. These and other prevention efforts are most effective through collaboration across multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, social services, law enforcement, and community organizations. By working together through the following approaches, we can provide comprehensive support to families, identify and address risk factors for child abuse, and create a safety net that protects children from harm:

1. Community Outreach: Engaging local leaders, schools, and organizations to promote awareness.
2. Resource Accessibility: Expanding access to mental health services, family support programs, and crisis hotlines.
3. Education and Training: Providing training to community members on recognizing and reporting child abuse.
4. Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between agencies, organizations, and individuals to create a strong support network.

To raise awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month, you may have noticed the flag raising ceremonies that are happening this month throughout Western Massachusetts. One has already taken place in Athol, and Greenfield will host one today, April 18th at 11 AM on the Greenfield Common, followed by a coffee reception at the Greenfield Library (412 Main St). All are invited.

It’s important to note that kids can and do get better after abuse when they receive help. Children thrive and can reduce their trauma symptoms to a healthy range through the services, like evidence-based therapy, plus strong parental, family, and community supports that CACs, like ours, help strengthen. 

This month and beyond, let's work together to be effective listeners, create safe spaces for children to come forward, and create safer communities for all children. 

“Trauma is a result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness, and fear. Healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered, and supported.” – Unknown.

Sincerely,

Karen Carmona, Program Associate

Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and North Quabbin

UPCOMING EVENTS

See what's happening at OTF this month.

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Explore OTF's COVID-19 Resource Guide.

MASSACHUSETTS SUBSTANCE USE HELPLINE

Hope is here. Get help.

413Cares

Resources for Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region. Click here.

NQCC'S Newsletter

Resources and upcoming events in the North Quabbin Region.

Click here.

CONNECTIONS #89

Find local resources in this issue.

NEED NARCAN?

Click here to email for Narcan.

Emergency Services Resources for Unhoused Individuals

Click here.

The PACES CONNECTION

Click here for resources

Grayken Center for Addiction Training & Technical Assistance

Click here to view and/or register for trainings.

GCC Community Engagement and Workshop Events

Click here to view and/or register for trainings.

Rural SUD Info Center

Click here for resources.

UPCOMING OTF COMMITTEE & WORKGROUP MEETINGS

FEATURED EVENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

MONTHLY WORKSHOP CALENDRS AND WEEKLY STANDING MEETINGS/EVENTS

Franklin County Reentry Center

Always Open! Community Labyrinth in Greenfield

All Recovery Meeting at The RECOVER Project

Mondays Art Guild Meetings

Second Mondays - North Quabbin B.R.R.A.V.V.E. Task Force Meeting

Tuesdays Peer-Led Grief and Loss Circle

First Tuesday - Dads' Group

Tuesdays Drop-In Knitting & Sewing Sessions

Wednesdays HEROES Study Hub at GCC

First & Third Thursdays Parent Support Group

Thursdays Coffee Hour at the Brick House

Thursdays Beyond Trauma Group in Spanish

Below is a link to the open positions listed for Greenfield:

https://careers.baymark.com/search/health-care-resource-centers/jobs/in/greenfield-ma-massachusetts

In February, FCRN partnered with The United Arc and the Offices of Representative Natalie Blais and Congressman Jim McGovern to host representatives from the Social Security Administration, the Department of Children and Families, and the Child Advocate for the Commonwealth Maria Mossaides for a discussion with grandparents raising grandchildren in Franklin County.

Below please find more information about programs covered at the event, as well as some key links and contact information for the representatives for state and federal agencies and legislative offices that were present.

Office of the Child Advocate: The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent executive branch agency with oversight and ombudsperson responsibilities, established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2008.

The best way to get in touch with the OCA is through the Complaint Line: https://www.mass.gov/guides/oca-complaint-line 

Maria Mossaides, Child Advocate

Department of Children and Families

Regional DCF team:

• Laurie Sullivan, (DCF Western Regional Director) laurie.sullivan@mass.gov 
• Paula Teixeira, (DCF Greenfield Area Office) paula.teixeira@mass.gov 

DCF’s Kinship Navigator : Kinship Navigator is a program of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that assists all kinship caregivers (grandparents and other relatives) with accessing services for themselves and the children they are raising.

Kinshipnavigator@mass.gov   1(844) 924-4KIN   Online referral: https://formstack.io/CF361 

Jennifer Kitchenham, Jennifer.S.Kitchenham@mass.gov 

Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: The purpose of this Commission is to be a resource to the Commonwealth on issues affecting grandparents raising grandchildren, and relatives, other than parents, raising kin.

On July 8, 2008, the Child Advocate bill was signed into law which included the establishment of the Commission on the Status of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. This legislation calls for a permanent commission on the status of grandparents raising grandchildren which consists of 15 individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to grandparents.

617-748-2454           massgrg@mass.gov         Colleen Pritoni, colleen.pritoni@mass.gov 

Family Resource Centers: Supported by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Department of Children and Families, a Family Resource Center is located in each of the 14 Massachusetts counties. There are currently 33 FRCs.

Here are some of the ways FRCs help families:

• Bring people together for friendship and mutual support
• Strengthen parenting skills
• Respond to family crises
• Link families to services and opportunities
• Help children develop social and emotional skills
• Observe and respond to early warning signs of child abuse and neglect
• Value and support parents

Community Action Family Center  90, Federal Street, Greenfield, MA 01301 (413) 475-1555

Jolanta Rumierz, jolanta.rumierz@mass.gov 

Social Security Administration - Boston Region Office 

• https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/ 
• A full FAQ page is available here: https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/ 
• More information about scheduling an appointment with SSA can be found here: https://www.ssa.gov/faqs/en/questions/KA-02771.html 

SSA representatives in Boston office: 

• Kevin Reino (Senior Public Affairs Specialist) bos.rcd@ssa.gov
• Sabrina Feliciano (Public Affairs Specialist) Sabrina.Feliciano@ssa.gov 

Federation for Children with Special Needs

Caregiver to Caregiver Respite Network: https://fcsn.org/c2c/ 

Mary-Beth Landy, Senior Trainer & Family Engagement Manager,  mlandy@fcsn.org 

Below is the information for all of the legislative offices that were present: 

Senator Comerford’s office

• Senator Comerford (jo.comerford@masenate.gov) 
• Elena Cohen (elena.cohen@masenate.gov)
• Jessie Cooley (jessie.cooley@masenate.gov) 

Representative Blais’s office

• Representative Blais (natalie.blais@mahouse.gov) 
• Corinne Coryat (corinne.coryat@mahouse.gov)

Congressman McGovern’s office

• Koby Gardner-Levine (Koby.Gardner-Levine@mail.house.gov) 

Kinship Navigator Brochure

Foster Parent Flyer

Adoption Journeys Brochure

UMASS Brochure - Family Resources Center

Kid's Net Brochure

Mental Health Advocacy Program - FAQs

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Resources

Free English Classes

Free Meals and Essentials at Saints James and Andrews Parish Hall

Come Cook with Franklin County Community Meals Program

Family Self-Sufficiency Program Available

Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program

Eviction Self-Help Booklets Available in Multiple Languages

Update! Greenfield CSC New Hybrid Operations Change

Beginning Tuesday, 9.3.24, the Greenfield Court Service Center (CSC)services will be in-person and remote: Monday-Thursday, 8:30am-1pm; 2pm-4:30 pm, and Fridays, 8:30-1pm.

For ANY/ALL REMOTE REQUESTS, please contact the Virtual Court Service Center, M-F 9am -2pm, if you do not have an emergency. You can reach them for an intake, Monday-Friday, 9am to 2pm, by Zoom video or telephone as outlined below:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1615261140 or Dial (646) 828-7666. Enter the Meeting ID number 1615261140 and then press # #. 

If you have an emergency, and still need remote services, have the court department reach out directly to Greenfield CSC office by email for assistance at greenfieldcsc@jud.state.ma.us.

Opioid Task Force of Franklin County and the North Quabbin Region www.opioidtaskforce.org