Child Abuse Prevention: 'Strengthening Families and Communities'
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Month of the Military Child and Col. Patrick Malackowski, 51st Fighter Wing commander, signed the proclamation declaring the monthly observance here March 30.
Throughout the month the Family Advocacy staff will be offering many classes and programs that will help the Osan community become a better place for children.
"One way to help prevent child abuse is to get involved with children in the community," said Beth Thomas, a family advocacy intervention specialist. "All the people they come into contact with can help reinforce this learning and influence their long-term development. Imagine how a child who is being abused is impacted."
She said everyone from the child's first teacher to child care providers, neighbors, coaches and extended family members influence a child's development.
"Surround a child with secure relationships and stimulating experiences, and he will grow up to become a confident, caring adult, ready to be part of society," Ms. Thomas said. "If he is surrounded by violence or given little intellectual or emotional stimulation, it will be much more difficult for him to be successful as an adult."
According to http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing research shows there are five important factors present in healthy families. By promoting these factors risk of child abuse and neglect are reduced. The factors are:
-Nurturing and attachment
-Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
-Parental resilience
-Social connections
-Concrete supports for parents
Being in the military or being a military spouse can also add additional stress and strain to having children; moving frequently, long separations, deployments, unpredictable hours and being away from extended family can compound these stressors.
"The loneliness and stressors can put strain on the most loving parent and could lead to neglect due to the parents' stress," Ms. Thomas said. So it's important to find help.
There are several programs offered here for new parents to prevent problems before they start, she said.
The Osan Parent Network helps facilitate playgroups at the Youth Center where parents can meet and build a support network, which is a fun way for parents to interact with their children.
The Integrated Delivery System agencies also have events planned throughout the month to raise awareness and celebrate Osan's military children.
"Children do well when their parents do well, and families do better when they live in supportive communities," Ms. Thomas said. "We can all play a positive part in raising healthy military children."
For more information on classes offered in April call Family Advocacy at 784-5010 or visit http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/outreach.cfm.
Throughout the month the Family Advocacy staff will be offering many classes and programs that will help the Osan community become a better place for children.
"One way to help prevent child abuse is to get involved with children in the community," said Beth Thomas, a family advocacy intervention specialist. "All the people they come into contact with can help reinforce this learning and influence their long-term development. Imagine how a child who is being abused is impacted."
She said everyone from the child's first teacher to child care providers, neighbors, coaches and extended family members influence a child's development.
"Surround a child with secure relationships and stimulating experiences, and he will grow up to become a confident, caring adult, ready to be part of society," Ms. Thomas said. "If he is surrounded by violence or given little intellectual or emotional stimulation, it will be much more difficult for him to be successful as an adult."
According to http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing research shows there are five important factors present in healthy families. By promoting these factors risk of child abuse and neglect are reduced. The factors are:
-Nurturing and attachment
-Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
-Parental resilience
-Social connections
-Concrete supports for parents
Being in the military or being a military spouse can also add additional stress and strain to having children; moving frequently, long separations, deployments, unpredictable hours and being away from extended family can compound these stressors.
"The loneliness and stressors can put strain on the most loving parent and could lead to neglect due to the parents' stress," Ms. Thomas said. So it's important to find help.
There are several programs offered here for new parents to prevent problems before they start, she said.
The Osan Parent Network helps facilitate playgroups at the Youth Center where parents can meet and build a support network, which is a fun way for parents to interact with their children.
The Integrated Delivery System agencies also have events planned throughout the month to raise awareness and celebrate Osan's military children.
"Children do well when their parents do well, and families do better when they live in supportive communities," Ms. Thomas said. "We can all play a positive part in raising healthy military children."
For more information on classes offered in April call Family Advocacy at 784-5010 or visit http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/outreach.cfm.
