PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.

April is an Important Month!• Child Abuse Prevention Month• Week of the Young Child• Victim Witness Protection Month

Lake County Cares for our Kids!

A United Community

Lake County agencies and organizations have chosen to come together to raise

awareness on these important issues impacting our children.

Together We Can Make a Difference!

Lake County Cares for our Kids!

• Children’s Council• Lake County Child Welfare Services• Lake County Office of Education• Lake County Child Care Planning Council• Victim Witness Division• Lake Family Resource Center• InterTribal Council of California• Sunrise Special Services• First 5 Lake• Easter Seals• North Coast Opportunities• Alcohol and Other Drug Services• Redwood Children’s Services• Environmental Alternatives Foster Family Agency• Early Connection Preschools• The Learning House• Garrison’s Child Care• Yuba Community College – Early Childhood Education Department• And More are Joining Every Day!

Lake County Cares for our Kids!

• In the next minute at least one child in the US will be the victim of abuse.

• Every year over 3 million children are reported as victims of abuse. These are just the numbers that are reported. The actual numbers are estimated to be 3 times greater.

Why This Matters:Child Abuse Prevention

• In California, 1 in every 20 children is a victim of abuse, and the statistics are estimated to be higher in Lake County.

• Nearly 600,000 children in the US live in foster care.

• Child abuse is 100% preventable.

Why This Matters:Child Abuse Prevention

Why This Matters:Quality Education for Every Child

Quality Early Childhood Education Means:

• Higher monthly earnings (29% vs. 7% earning more than $2K per month)

• Higher percentages of home ownership (36% vs. 13%)

• Higher level of schooling completed (71% vs. 54% completing 12th grade or higher)

• Lower percentage receiving social services (59% vs. 80%)

• Significantly fewer arrests (7% vs. 35%)

*High/Scope Perry Preschool Study

Lake County Advocacy

• Paper Doll Project• Community Presentations• Clearlake Proclamation Ceremony

– City Council• Lakeport Proclamation Ceremony –

Board of Supervisors• Advocacy Walk• Children’s Festival• Media articles/Public Service

Announcements

What Can You Do?

Report Suspected Abuse -- 10 Signs of Abuse Bookmark

Be Aware of Community Resources -- Nurturing Parenting Classes

-- Lake Family Resource Center

-- Visit www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com for a complete Community Family Resource Guide

-- Mother Wise Program

-- Respite Child Care

-- Your local health clinic

-- Your local religious community

-- Child Welfare Services Information

-- Be a Foster Parent – Be a CASA Volunteer – Give of your time in your community!

Be an Advocate! -- Register to participate in the 2011 Advocacy Walk – and bring your co-workers, family and friends!

-- Volunteer your time and energy for the Paper Doll Project or the Advocacy Walk and Festival.

-- Attend one or both of the Lake County Proclamation Ceremonies.

-- Hang paper dolls and advocacy statement in your office or business to help raise awareness.

-- Register your agency to provide resources and information at the Children’s Festival.

-- Support the countywide advocacy initiatives with your leadership and/or financial support.

-- Volunteer to do this presentation at service groups, church groups, youth groups... Or organize opportunities for a Children’s Council

-- Forward promotional emails to

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.

KEEP KIDS SAFE.If you suspect abuse, call Child Protective Services at 800-386-4090.