April Child Abuse Prevention Month
KIDS Center (Kids Intervention and Diagnostic Service Center) and MountainStar Family Relief Nursery kicked off the Blue Ribbon Campaign on April 1. The Blue Ribbon Campaign coincides with April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The Blue Ribbon Campaign began in 1989 as one woman’s tribute to her grandson when she tied a blue ribbon on her car antenna to symbolize his bruises, after he died at the hands of his mother’s abusive partner. This campaign was brought to Central Oregon in 1997 to raise awareness of the epidemic of child abuse in our community. In addition to awareness, the Blue Ribbon Campaign focuses on educating individuals and groups on how to better protect children in their lives, as well as our community from child abuse.
Almost 50,000 blue ribbons along with educational materials and posters will be distributed throughout the community in April. People are encouraged to wear a blue ribbon to show support for the awareness and prevention of child abuse.
As part of our 2016 Blue Ribbon Campaign, they are asking adults to “Speak Up and Save a Child.” It is a call for the adult community to take an active role in protecting the children of Central Oregon. By simply taking a child abuse prevention training, adults raise awareness of child abuse in our community and create a safer environment for all children.
KIDS Center and MountainStar have the honor to award five community partners for their outstanding commitment to preventing child abuse in Central Oregon, as our 2016 Prevention Partners of the Year. Through the training of staff, volunteers and students, each of these groups have dedicated valuable resources and time to create a safer community for children.
The following organizations have been selected: Healthy Families of the High Desert, Family Resource Center, Father’s House, Best Care and Crook County School District. Congratulations for your outstanding work in preventing child abuse.
A number of special events are scheduled for the month of April and are outlined on the following page. For more information about the Blue Ribbon Campaign, child abuse prevention and other events in April, visit kidscenter.org or mtstar.org/april.
Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Bend Broadband, Bend Garbage and Recycling, Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co., Selco Credit Union.
