April 2024

Greetings Prevention Champions!

Welcome to the April Edition of the Henrico Area Prevention Services Monthly Newsletter!

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and we hope that the information below serves as a reminder of how we can each do our part to prevent and stop child abuse in the Henrico Community.

During State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2023, there were upwards of 33,000 reports of child abuse in Virginia. Child abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, medical abuse, and neglect. While this number may seem jarring, we must remember our role in keeping our children safe. A child who is being abused may feel guilty or confused and not tell anyone about the abuse they are enduring so here are some signs to look out for:

• Changes in behavior, such as aggression, anger, hostility, or hyperactivity
• Depression, anxiety unusual fears, or a sudden loss of self-confidence
• Withdrawal from friends or usual activities
• Changes in school performance
• Sleep problems and nightmares
• Self-harm or attempts at suicide
• Frequent absences from school
• Rebellious or defiant behavior
• Apparent lack of supervision

Please be mindful that these signs and symptoms may not always indicate abuse but it is always better to be safe than sorry. There are also different symptoms for the different types of abuse and neglect mentioned above, please visit the Mayo Clinic to see an extensive overview of the signs and symptoms of child abuse.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected please call the Henrico County CPS hotline at 804-501-5437 which is open 8 AM-4 PM Monday to Friday. If you need support outside of those hours please call the Virginia CPS Hotline at 800-552-7096 which is open 24 hours a day.

For Parenting Help, Call 1-800-CHILDREN

Families Forward

Mandated Reporter Portal

🍷🚫 Alcohol Awareness Month 2024 🚫🍷

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the risks associated with alcohol consumption and promoting responsible drinking habits. The purpose of Alcohol Awareness Month is to educate individuals and communities about the dangers of excessive alcohol use, reduce stigma surrounding alcohol-related issues, and encourage healthier choices.

Throughout the month, we'll be sharing valuable resources and information to help you rethink your relationship with alcohol and make informed decisions. Visit websites like www.rethinkthedrink.com and https://pipnj.org/aam/ to learn more about the impact of alcohol on your health and well-being.

Remember, knowing your limit is key to staying safe. Watch our video titled "Do you know how much you drink in a week?" to gain insight into your drinking habits and make positive changes.

Check Your Drinking: Screening Tool

Check out Drive Smart Virginia's Campaign Who's Your Driver?

Here's what we've been up to...

March 12: Hidden in Plain Sight @ Tucker H.S.

March 19: Hidden in Plain Sight @ Highland Springs H.S.

April 30: Mark Your Calendar for our next Hidden in Plain Sight Event at Varina H.S.

Here's what we have planned...

We are excited to receive requests to train and equip staff in workplaces on the promotion of mental health awareness and workplace wellness strategies. In addition, we are partnering with Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) to provide Mental Health First Aid training to their School-Based Mental Health Services staff.

Apr 2: Youth Ambassadors College Tour, ODU & VSU

Apr 9: SCAN Stewards of Children Training, All Prevention Staff

Apr 10: St. Paul’s Baptist Church Talk Saves Lives Training 

Apr 11: HCPS Youth Mental Health First Aid Training

Apr 22: VA Department of Corrections Workplace Wellness Workshop 

Arp 27: National Drug Take Back Day, 3 locations see flyer below

Apr 30: DBHDS Prevention Conference

Apr 30: Hidden in Plain Sight, Varina HS 5:30pm

May 3: Patient First Adult Mental Health First Aid Training

Connect Corner

The Richfield crew used their field trip as an opportunity to support one of their own, Courtney, as she performed in the Fairfield MS production of Matilda!

Henrico Youth Ambassadors

March 13: Learning Life Saving Skills; CPR & 1st Aid

See them in action...check out our REEL on FaceBook!

April 2: College Tours at Old Dominion University & Virginia State University.

Participants competed for prizes in a friendly game of campus tour BINGO!

News the Henrico Community Can Use!

Apr 8: Total Solar Eclipse will cross North America passing over Mexico, United States, and Canada. Check out how this will effect Henrico Schools here.

Check Out NASA's Total Eclipse Overview

🌟 Stress Awareness Month Reminder 🌟

As we navigate through Stress Awareness Month, it's important to recognize that stress is a common experience for many adults in the United States. If you're feeling stressed, it's crucial to remember that you're not alone! Whatever the source of your stress may be, it's valid.

However, it's essential to be aware of your stress levels and take proactive steps to manage them. Ignoring stress can lead to negative health outcomes such as heart problems and high blood pressure. Stress awareness is the first step towards effective stress management, which can significantly reduce these risks.

Fortunately, there are countless strategies available to help counteract and manage stress. Take a look at the images below for some ideas, and try crossing off one activity a day to alleviate stress.

During this Stress Awareness Month, Don't Let Stress Get You Down.

Instead...Activate Your Wellness!

What is Stress?

Individual Stress Test

Stress Management Society

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

Henrico Prevention offers various FREE community-based trainings supporting mental health awareness and substance use prevention.

✨Explore Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) with our insightful and impactful collaborative team virtual training. ACEs are events in childhood that can have lasting effects on health and well-being.

We invite community organizations to prioritize mental health and resilience by attending this 2-hour ACEs training. Uncover the keys to understanding and addressing these experiences for a brighter, more compassionate future.

Click the flyer to register!

Together, let's foster a supportive environment.

Visit BeWellVA.com for regional training opportunities.

Be Well VA is the Community Services Boards Office on Prevention regional approach to bring awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promote wellness for life. We are a local resource to help you find your path to emotional well-being. Find out what’s happening in your community, learn more, and BE WELL Virginia!

Henrico Prevention thrives on your input and engagement. We invite you to share your thoughts on our newsletter—what you loved, what you'd like to see more of, and any ideas for future content. Your valuable feedback helps us tailor our communications to better serve your needs and interests.