URGENT: Separation between parents and children can be traumatic with emotionally harmful lasting adverse effects.

The health of children at the border between the United State and Mexico is at risk and their futures are threatened. As specialists in the field, the Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition feels it is our responsibility to advocate for the care and safety of these children and the families they rely upon.

Child Parent Institute, a member of our coalition, has developed an informative tip sheet on Coping with Immigration and the Family. Download the tip sheet in English or Spanish at this link:

calparents.org/what-we-do/parent-support-services/resources-assistance/coping-with-immigration.html

See also this article in the New York Times for ways to speak up, donate, and educate yourself.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/24/opinion/border-kids-immigration-help.html

The Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition's theme for 2019 is I AM LISTENING, because it's time to hear what victims have to say.

I am listening and I will do my part

How to listen:

1. STAY CALM
Control expressions of shock or disbelief. A child needs to know that you are strong enough to hear what they have to say.

2. BELIEVE
Express your belief that the child is telling the truth. A child may have kept the abuse a secret in fear of not being believed.

3. REASSURE
Acknowledge the child's courage and that they are not to blame for what happened.  

4. NO BLAME
Don't speak negatively. The person harming the child may be a family member or someone they know or love.

5. EXPLAIN
Let a child know what you will do next to help keep them safe.

6. REPORT

Report any suspicion of child abuse to local law enforcement or Child Protective Services, or to 1.800.4.A.CHILD (24/7).

For over 30 years Child Abuse Prevention Councils have led the way in the effort to prevent child abuse and neglect in every county in California. The Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition represents ten counties coordinating resources, advocating for public policy, producing conferences, and sharing best practices.

PROTECTIVE FACTORS THAT STRENGTHEN FAMILIES

The Five Protective Factors have been shown to make positive outcomes more likely for young children and their families:

1.        Parental Resilience

2.        Social Connections

3.        Concrete Support in Times of Need

4.        Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

5.        Social and Emotional Competence

Please contact us to receive educational materials for your events.

CALIFORNIA CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REPORTING LAW

It is important for mandated reporters to keep updated on periodic amendments to the law. Visit leginfoca.gov for updated information on the law and any other code section referenced in this material.

The California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Law is currently found in Penal Code (P.C.) Sections 11164 - 11174.3. The following is only a partial description of the law. Mandated reporters should become familiar with the detailed requirements as they are set forth in the Penal Code.

RESILIENCE

All parents experience stress from time to time. But parents can develop resilience to help them manage stressful situations and move themselves and their families toward healthy, positive outcomes.

Resilience comes through exposure to challenging life events, facilitated by supportive relationships and environments. These can be people, cultures, institutions, conditions and policies.

The outcome of resilience is positive change and growth. Resilience is when a person or family is able to successfully adapt in spite of current or past trauma.

Find those people, cultures, institutions, conditions and policies that can help you and your family. When parents ask for help, it is a step toward building resilience.