Prevent Child Abuse Florida Logo
June 2016 
Prevent Child Abuse Month
First Lady Ann Scott Kicks Off Pinwheels for Prevention
 
First Lady Ann Scott
(L to R) DCF Secretary Mike Carroll, Florida Trucking Association President Ken Armstrong, DJJ Secretary Christy Daley, Representative Allen Williams, First Lady Ann Scott
 
First Lady Ann Scott hosted children and guests at the Florida Governor's Mansion to kick off the 2016 Pinwheels for Prevention campaign in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Pinwheels for Prevention promotes healthy, happy childhoods for all children. More than 70,000 blue and silver pinwheels were planted across Florida in conjunction with National Child Abuse Prevention Month observances in April.
 
Florida's First Lady Ann Scott said, "As a mother and grandmother, it is incredibly important to me that children in Florida are safe and have the opportunity to get a great education. We must continue working every day to ensure families receive the support and resources they need to thrive. I am honored to participate in such a wonderful cause during Florida's Child Abuse Prevention Month to support more children across Florida and the nation. My hope is that every child can achieve their dreams and have a happy childhood in Florida."
 
Florida's Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is part of a national movement to change the way we think about prevention by emphasizing the important role individuals, businesses, government agencies and community and faith-based organizations play in healthy child, family and community development. The campaign symbol, a blue and silver pinwheel, is a reminder of the happy childhoods and bright futures all children deserve. The campaign is a partnership of the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida, the Florida Department of Children and Families, Prevent Child Abuse Florida and numerous community partners.
 
Florida Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll said, "Protecting and nurturing Florida's children is our highest priority. Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to help our communities understand that everyone plays a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. Simple, everyday acts of kindness can make a tremendous difference in the life of a child."
 
Chris Lolley, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Florida said, "Partners across the state have come together to ensure Florida's children have the best chance for happy environments and healthy development. When you see blue and silver pinwheels planted in your community, be reminded about the happy childhoods they represent and consider how you can help families in your area. Through our collective efforts, we can increase opportunities for children to thrive."

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Circle of Parents
2016 Truck Tour
Truck Tour
This year we introduced a unique partnership between Prevent Child Abuse Florida, the Florida Trucking Association and Rowland Transportation. The trio teamed up to wrap a tractor trailer with child abuse prevention messages. This "rolling billboard" was featured at a number of Child Abuse Prevention Month events throughout the state and is now in service on Florida's roads and highways for a year.
 
Ken Armstrong, president and CEO of the Florida Trucking Association, said, "Trucking professionals care deeply about the health and safety of the families in the communities where they work and live. We are pleased to join the statewide effort to raise awareness of this critical children's issue."
 
The events on the truck tour were inspiring and earned a great deal of attention for our important cause of keeping Florida's kids safe. Thank you to everyone who worked hard to make the 2016 Truck Tour a great success!

To view photos of the Truck Tour events around the state please visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/141936044@N08/albums.
Wear Blue Day
Wear Blue Day
On April 8, child advocates and partners across the nation wore blue in support of healthy, happy childhoods.  Thanks to everyone who organized Wear Blue Day in your communities. 
Thank You!

Thank you to the dedicated professionals around the state who came together during April to help raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention month. Increasing parental knowledge of healthy child development, reducing family isolation and ensuring community supports like home visiting, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, affordable housing and high-quality childcare are available to families are just a few ways we can reduce the risk of abuse and help ensure all children have the opportunity to grow and develop to their full potential. There are countless ways each of us can build a brighter future for children.  Several folks were willing to share their stories for keeping children safe and healthy in their local neighborhoods. 
 
Abuela is considered the neighborhood grandmother. She is a lifelong resident of her neighborhood and is known to everyone in her community as an expert on raising children. The majority of the parents and grandparents she advises are teen mothers who were also parented by teen mothers, continuing a cycle of misinformation with regards to healthy child development. Abuela struggles with convincing the parents in her neighborhood to reject previously held beliefs regarding healthy child development and encouraging parents to ask for the help they need. Abuela says, "My neighborhood needs a local presence of children and family services, local decision makers and local accountability when it comes to providing the help these young mothers need. Only then will these young mothers and grandmothers learn to trust the recommendations for healthy child development and begin to put them into practice."
 
Jon is a single father of three. At a community event Jon shared his story about growing up in his neighborhood.  Jon made several bad choices early in life that resulted in a 5 year prison sentence and the placement of his three sons in foster care. Once Jon was released from prison he immediately began the hard work of regaining custody of his sons. Jon conveyed to the local community partners attending the event that he needed public assistance and housing for his family. Jon and his family were offered help immediately by the service providers present at the event.
Welcome!
Please welcome Nydia Ntouda to Prevent Child Abuse Florida as the new Circle of Parents Trainer! She has replaced Jean Gibson who retired from the position in mid May. Nydia comes to PCAF with a wealth of experience working with children and families in south Florida. Her
Nydia Ntouda
Nydia Ntouda
most recent position was as an in-home therapist and parent coach. Nydia is bilingual and has extensive experience with children's programming.  If you are interested in more information about Circle of Parents and/or would like to schedule a
Jenny Williams
Jenny Williams
facilitator's training, Nydia can be reached at (850) 921-4494; ext. 202, or
nntouda@ounce.org.
 
PCAF would also like to welcome Jenny Williams as our new Administrative Assistant who takes the position formerly held by Alexa Kyros. Alexa was promoted to the Training Coordinator for the Florida Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) initiative with Healthy Families Florida. Jenny will continue to fill orders for prevention materials and safe-sleep brochures. She can be reached at (850) 921-4494; ext. 141 or jwilliams@ounce.org.
Welcome Nydia and Jenny!
Safe Sleep Materials

The updated brochures and checklists are now available! Outstanding orders are currently being shipped. Thank you for your patience. If you would like to order Safe Sleep brochures please visit, http://www.ounce.org/ss_resources_order.html 
Summer Safety

Heatstroke is one of the leading causes of death among children. Unfortunately, even great parents can forget a child in the back seat. Other risk factors include caregivers who aren't used to driving kids or whose routine suddenly changes.
 
Whether you're a parent, caregiver or bystander of a child left in a car, it's vitally important to understand children are more vulnerable to heatstroke than adults. Follow these important rules and tips to protect children from heatstroke:

Always Look Before You Lock
  • Always check the back seats of your vehicle before your lock it and walk away.
  • Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child's car seat when it's empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.
  • If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.
  • Keep in Mind a Child's Sensitivity to Heat
  • In 10 minutes, a car's temperature can rise over 20 degrees.
  • Even at an outside temperature of 60 degrees, the temperature inside your car can reach 110 degrees.
  • A child dies when his/her body temperature reaches 107 degrees. 

Understand the Potential Consequences of Kids in Hot Cars

  • Severe injury or death
  • Being arrested and jailed
  • A lifetime of regret
 
TAKE ACTION if You Notice a Child Alone in a Car!
If you see a child alone in a car, don't worry about getting involved in someone else's business-protecting children is everyone's business; besides, "Good Samaritan" laws offer legal protection for those who offer assistance in an emergency.

Here's What You Can Do
  • Don't wait more than a few minutes for the driver to return.
  • If the child is not responsive or is in distress, immediately:
  • Call 911.
  • Get the child out of the car.
  • Spray the child with cool water (not in an ice bath).
  • If the child is responsive:
  • Stay with the child until help arrives.
  • Have someone else search for the driver or ask the facility to page them.
Warning Signs of Heatstroke
  • Red, hot, and moist or dry skin
  • No sweating
  • Strong, rapid pulse or slow, weak pulse
  • Nausea
  • Confusion or strange behavior