July 2011 Newsletter - partnershipforsafefamilies.org

The Partnership for Safe Families & Communities of Ventura County,
The Designated Child Abuse Prevention Council
Our Mission is
“To promote a community committed to safe, healthy, peaceful families.”
July 2011 Newsletter
~ Monthly Highlights ~
Ventura County Program Success Story
City Impact’s Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)
Denise Flores, MS, MFTI, is one of City Impact’s Positive
Parenting Practitioners who provides Individual and
Group Triple P sessions to families living in the Ventura
and Saticoy area.
Denise’s Success Story
Ventura County Program Success Story Continued
City Impact’s Positive Parenting Program (Triple P)
In our final session, mother revealed, ―I‘ve finally learned
how to listen to my son. I’ve got my boy back!”
For more information about the Triple P Program in
Ventura, Oxnard, and Port Hueneme, please call:
(805) 983-3636 ext. 100 or Denise Flores (805) 248-2178.
National Make
a Difference in
Children Month
According to
www.answers.com,
“ We’ve got to work to save
July 1st—31st is a time
our children and do it with full to bring awareness for
respect for the fact that if we
parents and all adults
do not no one else is going to
who care about kids to
do it. “
make a difference to
~ Dorothy Height
children. See below for
4 key ways to Make a
Tim and his mother had recently moved to a new
Difference in Children by Kim Ratz:
location in Ventura. Everything was different for Tim. He
Pick one (or more) event or activity
to do with a child. Click on link
attended a new school and he missed his old friends.
100+ Ways to Make a Difference to
Worst of all, his parents were now separated. Mother
Children. Support an organization
was depressed and doubted her parenting abilities. She
that serves children by
volunbegan isolating herself from her friends. Her desperation
teering
or
making
a
financial
donabecame apparent in our first parenting session when she
tion. Continued on page 2….
asked, ―Can you help me feel good about me again?‖
“I want my old son back!,‖ cried a
distraught mother, whose 8 year old
son, ‗Tim‘, was referred to our
Positive Parenting Program (Triple
P) for persistent tardiness and attendance
issues at his school. ―He
used to be so happy and outgoing,‖ she
said, ―Now he whines and yells all the
time. He fights with his brothers and
defies my rules.
I don‘t know what to
do anymore!‖
July is
Social Wellness & Safety
Awareness Month
Meeting with Tim‘s mother in the comfort of her home
gave me a ‗bird‘s eye‘ view of the family‘s daily life. It
also gave me the opportunity to collaborate with mom
and set some realistic goals for change (for mother and
Tim). Over the next few weeks, our active skills
parenting sessions began to bear fruit. Mother began
speaking to Tim in a clear, calm voice when giving
instructions. They began spending more time together at
the beach, collecting sea shells and then arranging them
in their new rock garden back home.
The Partnership’s General
Monthly Meeting
Inside this issue:
Program
1
Success Story,
Monthly
Highlights,
Partnership
General
Meeting
Message from
Board
President,
Outreach,
Monthly
Highlights
continued
2
Family
Strengthening
3
Health &
Safety,
Community
Support
4 –5
Our next meeting is Aug. 3, 2011,
Get Involved
6
10am-noon, at Child Development
with
Violence
Resources of Ventura County, 221
Prevention
Ventura Blvd., Rooms A & B, Oxnard.
Efforts
Join us for educational presentations,
committee updates, networking, resources, and more! For
more information contact Elaine Martinez Curry (805) 2890120 ext. 3024, email: [email protected], or visit:
www.partnershipforsafefamilies.org.
The Partnership’s Newsletter
2
Message from the Partnership’s
Board President ~ Jennifer Frank
Greetings Partnership members!
After all the gloom of June, the month of July finally feels like summer! July is recognized as Summer Safety and
Health Month, so I found some summer safety tips that I want to share with all of you so you can enjoy the warm
months and still stay healthy. When you‘re out in the sun, don‘t forget to wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Drink lots of water and stay hydrated when exercising. Never swim alone, and always watch children when they are
swimming. Wear a life vest when boating. Make sure pets who are outside have access to water and shade.
I wish each and every one of you a safe and happy summer!
~ Jennifer Frank, Board President
~ The Partnership’s Outreach Efforts ~
The Partnership’s Up Coming Outreach Events
The Partnership will be providing child abuse, neglect and family violence prevention awareness
educational resources to the community and professionals working with children and families at:
Oxnard Clergy Council
July 25, 2011, from 5:30-7pm, located at Elk‘s Lodge, 801 South ‗A‘ Street, Oxnard.
~ Monthly Highlights Continued ~
National Make a Difference in Children Month Continued
Tell your policy makers to support initiatives that are good for kids ... like your school board, city council, county
commissioners, state legislators & congressional delegate. Share your own story about making a difference to children
and why it's important to support programs for children. Tell other people about this campaign.
For more information visit: www.kimkatz.com.
SOURCE: www.answers.com, www.kimkatz.com, 7/6/11
Social Wellness Awareness Month
According to www.weighing-success.com, Social Wellness Month was created / sponsored by Words of Wellness
was put in place to assist people in their efforts to live a healthier life.
Social Wellness Month offers an excellent opportunity to help others feel good about themselves and build stronger
social ties to the ones that you love.
Dimensions of Social Wellness
The social dimension of wellness encourages contributing to one's human and physical environment to the common
welfare of one's community. Social Wellness emphasizes the interdependence with others and nature. It includes the
pursuit of harmony in one's family.' Read more….
Take the Social Wellness Assessment
The social dimension of wellness involves developing, nourishing and encouraging satisfying relationships.
Read each statement (10 questions) carefully and respond honestly by using the following scoring:
(Almost always = 2 points, Sometimes/occasionally = 1 point, Very seldom = 0 points)
1. I contribute time and/or money to social and community projects.
2. I am committed to a lifetime of volunteerism.
3. I exhibit fairness and justice in dealing with people.
4. I have a network of close friends and/or family.
5. I am interested in others, including those from different backgrounds than my own.
Click here to take the rest of the survey and read more.
SOURCE: www.weighing-success.com, 7/6/11
The Partnership’s Newsletter
3
~ Family Strengthening ~
Office of Child Abuse Prevention (OCAP)
California Department of Social Services
Office of Child Abuse Prevention
(916) 651-6960
Positive Parenting and Strengthening Families
Plan family reunions and family events and invite extended family. For many, an extended
family means cousins, friends and neighbors. Create family traditions and observe those
already through social networking sites.
SOURCE: Positive Parenting and Strengthening 2011 Calendar
5 Protective Factors that Strengthen Families and Protect Children
www.strengtheningfamilies.net
The five protective factors (5PF‘s) have been proven to reduce the risk of abuse and neglect. These
factors provide the tools and strategies needed to integrate them into existing programs and systems.
For the next few months, The Partnership will be highlighting one of the 5 Protective Factors.
This month we are highlighting-Protective Factor 5: Concrete Supports for Parents.
Concrete Supports for Parents
Many factors beyond the parent-child relationship affect a family‘s ability to care for their children. Parents need
basic resources such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, and access to essential services that address
family-specific needs (such as child care and health care) to ensure the health and well-being of their children.
Some families may also need support connecting to social services such as alcohol and drug treatment, domestic
violence counseling, or public benefits. Providing or connecting families to the concrete supports that families need
is critical. These combined efforts help families cope with stress and prevent situations where maltreatment could
occur.
Sharing Strategies and Resources to Strengthen Concrete Supports
Parents may not always know about community resources that can help meet their basic needs or how to access
essential services. Language or cultural barriers may make it difficult for some parents to identify services and make
the necessary contacts. Providing information and connections to concrete supports can be a tremendous help to
families under stress or in crisis.
Your expertise may be most helpful in the following ways:
Linking families with services

Parents may not be aware of services that could help.

Parents are more likely to use culturally appropriate services.

Parents with many needs may be overwhelmed by the different requirements for accessing various services.
Building community services

Linking parents with community leaders and others to organize support, advocacy, and consulting groups
gives parents the opportunity to use their experience to help others.

Parents who go public with their need or cause usually find that they are not alone.

Parents who are new to advocacy may need help connecting with the media, businesses, funding, and other
parts of the community to have their needs heard and identify solutions.
To read more visit: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/factors.cfmf.
The Partnership’s Newsletter
4
~ Health and Safety ~
Summer Safety Tips
Drowning Prevention - The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Safe Kids California
According to The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Safe Kids California, drowning is the main cause of
death for toddlers and preschoolers. According to the Ventura County Department of Public Health Vital
Records Office, in the year 2009 and 2010 there was a total of 7 drownings between the ages of 1-9 in Ventura
County. Nationally, drowning ranks second only to automobile crashes, claiming the lives of approximately 4,000 children each year and leaving another 12,000 with some form of permanent brain
damage. Drowning deaths increase up to 89% in the summer months.
In San Luis Obispo County, while a family was enjoying a holiday celebration at Lake Nacimiento, their
four year-old child went missing and was found a short time later in few feet of water, just 70 feet from
where the child was last seen. It really takes only a second for a child to go missing.
SOURCE: KCOY News
Help protect your children from these preventable tragedies. Learn the ABCs of drowning prevention. Your child‘s life
depends on it. Here are the ABCs of Drowning Prevention:
A for Adult Supervision:
• Adult supervision is key to drowning prevention. Always assign a “water watcher” who knows how to swim.
• Provide active adult supervision 100% of the time when children are in or near the water.
Do not drink alcohol while supervising children.
• Children under 5 should be kept within arm’s reach while in water.
• Water wings, noodles, inner-tubes and life jackets should never take the place of adult supervision
for children ages 0-5.
• Know where your children are at all times. 69% of children who drowned in swimming pools were
not supposed to be in or around the water. If a child is missing, check the pool first.
B for Barriers
• Put in, check and always use a child-proof barrier around your pool/spa area.
• The only proven effective barrier is a 5 foot tall non-climbable fence with self-closing, self-latching gates that separates the pool from the house and yard.
• Remove toys from, in or around the pool area — they attract young children to the pool.
• Keep chairs, tables and other climbable items away from the pool barrier.
C for CPR & Classes
• Learn CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and rescue breathing.
• Call 911. Start CPR and rescue breathing at pool side — this can save a life while the ambulance
is on the way.
• Make sure all children and adults in your family go to swim lessons and water safety training. But
remember these classes do not take the place of the need for adult supervision and barriers.
• To find swim classes ask at a local community pool, family resource center, or parks and recreation
district locations.
To find CPR classes contact your local Red Cross chapter, family resource center, or American Heart Association.
For more information contact The Child Abuse Prevention Center at (916) 244-1900 or 1-800-Children,
SOURCE: The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Safe Kids California3
Ultraviolet (UV) Safety Month

You can take these steps to help prevent skin cancer:

Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Cover up with long sleeves and a hat.

Check your skin regularly for any changes.
For more information contact Sara Rivera, (805) 677-5252 or visit: http://www.healthyventuracounty.org
SOURCE: Sara Rivera, Chronic Disease Prevention and Early Detection Program, 7/7/11
The Partnership’s Newsletter
5
~ Health and Safety Continued ~
Heat Safety Tips
The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Safe Kids California
Never Leave a Child Alone in the Car: while you run to do a quick errand. Children can succumb to heat exposure
and death very quickly in a hot car. Check to make sure all children are taken out of the vehicle.
Keep vehicle doors and trunks closed and locked. Watch for Signs of Heat Exhaustion and
Heat Stroke: Heat Exhaustion: clammy skin, loss of color in skin, sweating, a tired, worn-out look
on someone‘s face, dry mouth, headache. Heat Stroke: high body temperatures — (over 103º F),
confusion, poor breathing, seizures, the person has stopped sweating, weak pulse, hot, dry skin to
the touch, fainting or total loss of consciousness. Wear Light Layers and Protective Clothing:
make sure your children wear loose fitting, lightweight, light colored clothing, sunglasses that provide 100 percent UV protection, keep children under the age of 1 out of the sun as much as you
can, always cover your child‘s head. Apply and Reapply Sunscreen: whenever your child is outside, use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 to 30 that protects against both UVA
and UVB rays, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside and reapply every two
hours. Limit Physical Activity and Stay Hydrated: when it is 90° or above and humid,
children should not exercise or play outside for more than 30 minutes at a time, make
sure your child drinks fluids such as water or electrolyte drinks (sports drinks) every 20
minutes to prevent dehydration —even if they are not thirsty, avoid drinking liquids that contain
caffeine or large amounts of sugary sodas. These can cause a loss in body fluids and accelerate dehydration.
SOURCE: The Child Abuse Prevention Center, Safe Kids California, 7/1/11
~ Community Support ~
Ventura County Foster Youth Graduation Celebration
The June 17 Graduation Celebration for foster youth turned out to be a great success. About
125 people attended and honored the 2011 high school and college graduates. We wanted to
thank all those at The Partnership who had a part in the event and to send you the link to a
7-minute DVD that was part of the program on June 17. It has 3 former foster youth sharing
about what graduation means to them and gives some wonderful insights into the lives of foster
youth. This year's celebration was sponsored by a broad, community coalition of 20-25 agencies
and groups with two primary goals: 1) to honor the youth who were graduating and 2) to be a
youth-driven event. We are encouraged that both goals were met and planning for next year's
graduation celebration is already getting underway this Summer. If you or your agency would
like to participate in honoring the graduates at the June, 2012 event, contact John Franklin at [email protected].
Watch u-tube video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5LSAOcob1g
SOURCE: John Franklin, on behalf of the community-based coalition of sponsors
Gull Wings Children’s Museum Fundraiser
Ventura County’s only Children’s Museum for over 20 years.
A nonprofit organization.
Help Gull Wings win $50,000 in the Pepsi Refresh project.
Vote for their project ― Celebrate childhood!‖ This project is a hands-on program for art,
music and science.
Voting runs through July only….you can vote one time per day by:
Visit: www.refresheverything.com/gullwings or text 107672 and enter in the message spot: 73774.
SOURCE: Elaine Martinez Curry, 7/7/11
The Partnership’s Newsletter
6
The Partnership
for Safe Families & Communities of Ventura County,
The Designated Child Abuse Prevention Council
1838 Eastman Ave., Suite 100
Ventura, Ca. 93003
(805) 677-5403
www.partnershipforsafefamilies.org
For information, please contact Elaine Martinez Curry, Manager at
( 805) 289-0120 ext 3024 or e-mail [email protected].
How to Get Involved with
The Partnership
Contribute time to The
Partnership's child abuse,
neglect, and family violence
prevention efforts:
 Participating in one of our
committees in the
categories of adult abuse
prevention, child abuse
prevention, domestic
violence prevention,
faith network, sexual abuse
prevention, and/or youth
engagement and
development; and/or
 Volunteer and/or
 Become a member of
The Partnership or make a
donation to help our
prevention efforts.
Submit to
The Partnership’s
Monthly Newsletter
Deadline for August is
July 29, 2011.
E-mail Jeni Futvoye at
[email protected].
Please send your submissions
by the deadline. Information
provided must meet submission
criteria and be in alignment with
The Partnership‘s mission.
Submissions may include:
Success stories, information
about Your Trainings,
Workshops, Conferences,
Resources, Publications,
Fundraising/Grant &
Employments Opportunities.
Include title, hyperlink, website,
publication link/pdf, date/time,
fee, CEUs, scholarships, and
contact information. Thank you!
The Partnership's Committee Meetings
Join a Partnership Committee…
Become actively involved in the Partnership’s
ongoing efforts to promote safe,
healthy, peaceful families and communities.
***********************************************************
· Child Abuse & Neglect Education Committee (CAPC) meets the
fourth Wednesday of the month from 1-2:30pm, located at
VC
Public Health, 2125 Knoll Rd, Ventura. For more information please
contact Seleta Dobrosky at [email protected].
· Domestic Violence Prevention Committee meets the fourth Wednesday of the month from 1-2:30pm, located at Interface Children Family
Services, 1305 Del Norte Rd., Camarillo, Ca. For more information,
contact Nicholle Gonzalez-Seitz: [email protected].
· Sexual Abuse Prevention Committee, meets the second Wednesday
of the month from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m., at 2982 Martha Drive Ventura. For
more information, contact Susan Becker: [email protected].
· Youth Engagement and Development Committee, meets the
first Friday of the month from 11:00am - 12:00p.m., at TAY Tunnel,
141 W. Fifth Street Suite D. Oxnard. The mission of the Youth
Engagement and Development committee is to coordinate
communication and foster collaboration among youth serving entities
countywide that share our main objectives. For more information,
contact Jen Gomez at [email protected].
· Ventura County Adult Abuse Prevention Council, all meetings
held from 8:30-10am, at Alma Via Assisted Living of Camarillo,
2500 Ponderosa Dr., Camarillo. 4101 Las Posas Rd., Camarillo, Ca., no
cost, must pre-register. The VCAAPC is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of elder and dependant adult abuse by providing education and advocacy services to Ventura County. For more
information please contact Melanie Farber at (805) 389-0977 or email at
[email protected].
Together We Can Make a Difference!