Giving Yourself Permission

by Executive Director Claire Louge



Last month, we certified 20 people to teach “Considering Yourself a Mandated Supporter,” a training for educators on how to connect families to resources. The main idea behind the training is that protecting children doesn’t begin and end with reporting child abuse– we can also prevent child adversity by supporting families to get what they need. 

When we developed this training last year, we held focus groups of educators to get their perspectives. We asked them what they needed to be able to support families.

Most of their answers didn’t surprise me:

• They said they needed time. There were never enough hours in the day, and the list of what they were expected to do was always growing.
• They said they needed to know how to find resources.
• They said they needed to know how to offer help in a way that didn’t feel judgmental or stigmatizing.

But there was another thing they said that struck me the most. I’ve thinking about it ever since…

Impact Story

Considering Yourself a 'Mandated Supporter'

In May, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona held its first “Considering Yourself a Mandated Supporter” Training of Trainers (TOT). The training, which was created in collaboration the ACEs Consortium and Onward Hope and funded by DCS, is designed to guide educators to connect families to resources in order to prevent child adversity. The 20 TOT participants are now scheduling trainings with schools across the state. Interested in bringing this training to a school you’re connected to? Contact Michelli@pcaaz.org. 

Advocacy

Building Our Capacity for Advocacy

PCAAZ was selected as one of seven state chapters for the Prevent Child Abuse America Government Affairs Initiative. The initiative provides public policy support through direct technical assistance, guidance, and consultation from ChildFocus, to grow internal capacity and expand or leverage our presence at the state policy level.

Check out the big strategies we're focused on in our Child Wellbeing Roadmap.

Help Define the Landscape of Child Care!

Home-based child care (HBCC) is the most common form of non-parental care for children age 5 or younger in Arizona. Candelen is conducting a study to understand family engagement with HBCC across Arizona, and is requesting the survey participation of two populations: Parents and Caregivers using HBCC and HBCC providers. Individuals will receive a $20 gift card for their participation.

Today in Prevention

How do different states define neglect?

Casey Family Programs conducted a 50-state review and analysis examining definitions of child neglect found in state statutes. The purpose of the review was to explore whether these definitions may contribute to an overly wide “front door” to Child Protective Services, leading to unnecessary intrusion into families’ lives and heightening the risk of unnecessary placement of children in foster care. 

Virtual Father Engagement Workshop

On June 14 from 12- 1:30pm, join us to learn more about engaging fathers in family support services! This virtual workshop will cover how service providers can acknowledge, honor, and encourage the father’s role in the family.  

Fundraising

Pedaling for Prevention in Prescott

Every year, Epic Rides hosts a community-focused mountain bike race in Prescott. This three-day event concludes with the happiest event of all – the children’s race, where over 300 kids pedal through downtown Prescott! Epic Rides organizes this family-friendly event to stamp childhoods with positive memories and demonstrated its commitment to child wellbeing by donating the proceeds of this race to Prevent Child Abuse Arizona.

Register for the Child Abuse Prevention Conference - workshops are filling up!

As a 501(c)3 organization, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona is eligible to receive bequests. Please contact Molly Peterson at molly@pcaaz.org if you would like to discuss including Prevent Child Abuse Arizona in your legacy.

Prevent Child Abuse Arizona can only accept donations from individuals, businesses, and foundations located in the State of Arizona.

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