Infographic: Preventing Costly Child Abuse

This is from the PEW Center on the States post (http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/report_detail.aspx?id=85899375913)
Some of our nation’s costliest social problems—like child abuse and neglect—are rooted in early childhood. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize the proven policies that help break the cycle of abuse and that promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.

Voluntary home visiting matches parents with trained professionals to provide information and support during pregnancy and throughout their child’s early years—a critical developmental period. Increasingly, states are turning to evidence-based home visiting programs in an effort to prevent abuse and neglect.

Learn more about how home visiting gives families a solid foundation and helps states save money.

Healing Fields

Since the 1980s, millions of people across the country have participated in National Child Abuse Prevention Month activities including the Blue Ribbon Campaign by wearing and distributing blue ribbons, organizing community activities, and showing support for organizations, like the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI), that help keep kids safe and families together. 

CCFI Healing Field

This year, CCFI launched the first annual Healing Field campaign. Intended to sprout awareness, two Healing Fields are located in Norman, OKand both serve as a reminder that each of us can and does have a hand in protecting children throughout our communities. 

The larger Healing Field is located in the front of CCFI, at the corner of 12^th and Main Street, and consists of over 800 blue ribbon flags. Each flag represents100 Oklahoma victims of child abuse and neglect from 2011. The second Healing Field surrounds the fountain at Sooner Mall with planted pinwheels. Each pinwheel represents two Cleveland County victims of child abuse and neglect. Cleveland County’s number of victims of child abuse and neglect increased from 240 in 2010 to 293 in 2011.

Sooner Mall Healing Field

Last year 8,110 children were confirmed as being abused or neglected in Oklahoma and most of the children in Cleveland County in this situation would be referred to CCFI to find healing. It then becomes our job to try to mitigate the impact of this often unspeakable trauma and give those children the best possible shot at a happy and productive life. But we also work to stop the abuse before it happens, providing counseling and family support services through our programs and services.

Prevention begins with awareness.

Here are some ways you can help:

Donate Now
By making a donation to CCFI today, you’ll be investing in programs that are proven to stop the cycle of abuse and help provide support to children who have already become victims.

Virtual Blue Ribbon
A blue ribbon is the international symbol for Child Abuse Prevention. Show your support by sharing status updates posted on CCFI’s timeline on Facebook or changing your Profile Picture to a Blue Ribbon for the month of April. Go to www.facebook.com/ccfinorman to download.

Tweet about it
On Twitter? Follow @ccfinorman and retweet the messages we’ll be posting about National Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout April.

Host a Blue Ribbon Event
Organize your own event with a blue ribbon or healing field them during the month of April to benefit the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI), or attend one of our upcoming events.

Expand our Circle of Support
Share this page with family and friends via email, facebook, twitter, or any other social media site!

For more information about child abuse prevention visit: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth