April 2013 Child Abuse Prevention Month Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Child Abuse Prevention Month so important? Each year children die due to child abuse and neglect. The highest percentage of child victims for abuse and neglect are under the age of three. To bring awareness to this problem, in 1983, Congress proclaimed every April Child Abuse Prevention Month. What efforts have the Navy made to help prevent child abuse and neglect? Each year, the Navy proclaims April as Child Abuse Prevention Month to coincide with Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) campaign. Throughout the month of April, CAPM campaign products that reflect the current years theme are distributed navy-wide. At the installation level workshops, awareness breakfasts, and educational programs are offered to the stakeholders, i.e., active duty service members, command leadership, etc. This year our theme is Break the Cycle. What is the meaning of the theme Break the Cycle? Research shows that child abuse and neglect is learned behavior. This means that the most effective intervention to break the cycle is teaching healthy parenting practices. What should parents and caretakers do to prevent child abuse and neglect? Every family should integrate six protective factors into their parenting practice to minimize the risk for child abuse and neglect: Parental Resilience Social Connections Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development Concrete Support in Times of Need Nurturing and Attachment Social and Emotional Competence of Children

Where should active duty parents go to learn about healthy parenting practices? On each Navy installation where family housing is available, there is a Fleet and Family Support Center, which is where parenting and child development subject matter experts known as Home Visitors are located. Home visitors are the service providers for The New Parent Support Home Visitation Program. Tell me more about the New Parent Support Home Visitation Program. The NPSP is a congressionally mandated program. This program offers free support services to families with children under the age of three. The program mission is to educate parents on healthy parenting practices that would ultimately minimize the risk for child abuse and neglect. The Home Visitors are highly skilled and trained nurses, social workers, marriage and family therapists and/or early child educators.

Learn more about Child Abuse Prevention Month: https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/