CARSON CITY - April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, the state of Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Nevada a better place for children and families.
"By ensuring parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children's social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities," said Mike Willden, director of DHHS.
Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:
• Nurturing and attachment
• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Concrete supports of parents
• Social and emotional developmental well-being
"April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,"said Amber Howell, administrator for DCFS. "Everyone's participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development."
For more information on child abuse prevention programs and activities during April, and throughout the year, contact DCFS, Social Services Chief, Systems Advocate, Chrystal C. Main at cmain@dcfs.nv.gov or Prevent Child Abuse Nevada, Amanda Haboush at Amanda.Haboush@unlv.edu.[[In-content Ad]]
