April is Child Abuse Prevention month

To the editor:

We all want children to be safe and have healthy childhood experiences. However, an increasing number of children are exposed to intensive stress — like child abuse and neglect — that can be devastating to child development and have lifelong consequences.

Programs and strategies like home visiting, parent education, mental health services, availability of affordable day care, and substance abuse treatment all aid in the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

As our nation recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, our hope is for all individuals to play a role in making Kansas a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can strengthen families and the communities they live in.

One simple outward sign is to wear a blue ribbon. You can get your free ribbon, as well as learn more about prevention efforts, by visiting the Kansas Children’s Service League’s Web site at www.kcsl.org or calling the Parent Helpline at (800) 244-53136.

Janet Schalansky,
President/CEO
Kansas Children’s Service League