April 2020
April 2020
Child Abuse Prevention Month
CAP Month
Since 1983, April has been designated as  Child Abuse Prevention Month , and in 2020 we once again designate this month to discuss how we each have a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. Just like every other part of life right now, our response this year has been shaped by the COVID 19 pandemic. Our kickoff event was on Facebook. Our blue pinwheel for prevention gardens have gone virtual. All our family focused events have been cancelled.
But YOU still have the power to stand up for children; you can still do your part to help make our world a safe and loving place for all children. We have ideas on how we can all still work on this goal even as we practice our social distancing.
For more on CAP month, visit our blog here

How to make your OWN pinwheel garden
The pinwheel has been the symbol for CAP month since 2008; it has "come to serve as the physical embodiment, or reminder, of the great childhoods we want for all children." Since 2009, SCAN has "planted" blue pinwheel gardens throughout Ottawa County in the month of April. We can't physically plant them this year-- but we can give YOU the tools to make your own pinwheels at home with your children, and then create a "garden" at your house!
For a pinwheel coloring sheet, click here
For instructions on how to make a pinwheel, click here
For a pinwheel garden sheet to print at home, click here

We are ALL in this together
Whether it is the fight against the global pandemic, to working to make our world a safer place for children to grow and blossom, it takes all of us working together to make our community better. During CAP month, we want to showcase some of our community partners--and fellow SCAN council members- who work tirelessly to make Ottawa County a safer place for children and families. Read more about four agencies that are pursuing this common goal and what you can do to help achieve this goal.
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Virtual Parenting Series
Arbor Circle is bringing parent support to you! Join us for our new virtual parenting series. This series will focus on connections between parents and ideas for facing the new challenges we find ourselves in. 
Thursday, 4/9 4:30 pm-5:30 pm: Parenting and Mental Heath Join Kevin Schmidt from Muskegon County System of Care for a conversation about how we can all maintain our mental health while we help our families maintain theirs. Click here for more information.
Monday, 4/13 8:30 pm-9:30 pm: Developing Self-Worth Learn ways to preserve and even increase our feelings of self-worth during the COVD 19 crisis. Click here for more information.
Look for more parenting events to come soon!
Ottawa Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition
Contact Leigh Moerdyke at [email protected]


Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/OSAPCoalition
Talk Early. Talk Often. Learn How.  www.talksooner.org