Child Abuse Prevention Month

Stand up for MilKids

#ResilientMilKids 

There is a role for every caring adult in the community to play in supporting the resilience of military chldren, including those impacted by trauma, abuse or neglect. Take pride in doing your part to keep military children safe and pledge to stand up for MilKids today. Be a stable force for good in the life of a military child. Support military parents to practice self-care and seek help when they are overwhelmed. 

Supporting parents who serve means offering to help, listening and reassuring them that taking the time to learn more about how to navigate parenthood is healthy. Self-care and finding time to de-stress are not only compatible with good parenting, but are also important tools for keeping your family strong and children safe.

There are free programs and learning opportunities for military parents available through the Family Advocacy Program and Military One Source, including:

 New Parent Support Program: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/parenting-and-children/parenting-infants-and-toddlers/the-new-parent-support-program

 Period of Purple Crying Resources for Parents of Newborns: http://purplecrying.info/

 THRIVE: https://thrive.psu.edu/

 New MilParent Specialty Consultation: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/new-milparent/new-milparent-consultation

 Teach Your Kids Healthy Body Boundaries: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/preventing-abuse-neglect/teach-your-kids-healthy-boundaries

Further, Child Abuse Prevention Month is a great reminder for Family Advocacy Program and New Parent Support Program staff to take advantage of the following information, training and podcasts:

 Period of Purple Crying Training for Military Providers: https://training.dontshake.org/courses

 Protective Factors Framework: https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/promoting/protectfactors/

If you do have concerns about a child’s safety, know what to do. Call your installation Family Advocacy Program (570) 615-7509 or the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800-422-4453.

If you’re not sure what to do, you can always contact Military OneSource at 800-342-9647. Reporting suspected child abuse is required by law for military chain of command and covered professionals and is always the right thing to do.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND PARENTS:

 The Science of Resilience: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/uk/15/03/science-resilience

 What is Complex Trauma? A Resource Guide for Youth and Those Who Care About Them: https://www.nctsn.org/resources/what-complex-trauma-resource-guide-youth-and-those-who-care-about-them

 Help Your Child Heal from Trauma: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/trauma_ts_2019.pdf

 Teach Your Kids Healthy Body Boundaries: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/family-relationships/family-life/preventing-abuse-neglect/teach-your-kids-healthy-boundaries

 Managing Stress: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/stress_ts_2019.pdf

 Keeping Your Family Strong: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/strong_ts_2019.pdf