April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

There’s no one solution to keeping kids safe. There’s no one agency, no one organization and no one person that can protect all our children. It takes a village to raise a child. It takes all of us to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Here at Strengthening Families Washington, we support communities that work with families to build Protective Factors and support parents. Parenting is hard and there is no one way to parent.

There are, however, best practices to support all families. Wrapping parents in support using the Protective Factors is both promotive and protective. We encourage programs across the state to support families and help them grow and realize their full potential, just like the children we endeavor to help.

Each year, in April, we highlight our prevention work as part of the national Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheel represents the happy, healthy childhood every child deserves. We will join with organizations across the country to highlight our commitment to happy childhoods and our ongoing prevention work.

In addition to our pinwheels, we also want to invite everyone in Washington to participate in Wear Blue Day on April 6th to stand in solidarity against child abuse. It’s easy – just wear blue!

We work closely with our partners because we cannot do this alone. No one can do this alone. From our family to yours, thanks for your support.

State honors Unsung Heroes at annual awards dinner

Shannon Love was one of 28 Unsung Heroes.

She was honored for her work to reform 

foster care in Washington state.

On a snowy and blustery Feb. 20 night, parents, grandparents, teachers and caregivers from around the state were honored at the annual Unsung Hero awards dinner.

Twenty-eight honorees were selected this year, one for each day in February, for Parent Recognition Month.

These inspiring individuals were selected by a parent panel and represent resilience in our state. They include a grandpa taking on custody of his young grandson, a school counselor who took in three siblings so they didn’t have to be split up, moms who are amazing advocates for their special needs kids and foster parents giving children a stable and loving home. Our focus was to honor heroes that utilize one or more of the Protective Factors:

• Parental Resilience: overcoming hard times and bouncing back
• Concrete Supports in Times of Need: knowing where to turn to for help
• Social and Emotional Competence of Children: knowing how to help children talk about feelings
• Social Connections: reaching out and knowing who can support you
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: knowing where to go for information on parenting skills and children’s developmental growth

The night was filled with smiles, laughter and some tears as each honoree’s nomination was read for the group and awards were given by Director Heather Moss. If you would like to read all of the inspiring stories, please visit our partner in the Unsung Hero Campaign, Seattle’s Child Magazine.

Thank you again to everyone who sent in nominations and another round of big congratulations to our 2018 Unsung Heroes!

Washington’s Unsung Heroes to be honored in February

Parenting: one day it’s dance parties in the kitchen with hugs and kisses, and the next day you’re bribing with fruit snacks to stop the meltdown in aisle 3. Parenting is hard. And some paths are especially challenging for both the parent and the child.

This Unsung Hero was awarded during last year's ceremony.

Gov. Jay Inslee has proclaimed February as Parent Recognition Month, and we are celebrating extraordinary Washington parents with our Unsung Heroes Campaign. The Strengthening Families Team at DEL has had the privilege of hosting a recognition event now for several years and once again we find ourselves inspired by the stories from across the state.

Late last year we opened the nomination process up across the state and received nominations from all over. These nominees are parents, caregivers, teachers and community members who have made a remarkable difference in a child or children’s life. We looked for those who showed strength in the Protective Factors:

• Parental Resilience – overcoming hard times and bouncing back
• Concrete Supports in Times of Need – knowing where to turn to for help
• Social and Emotional Competence of Children – knowing how to help children talk about feelings
• Social Connections – reaching out and knowing who can support you
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development – knowing where to go for information on parenting skills and children’s developmental growth

Of the dozens of nominations received, our parent panel selected 28 honorees – one for each day of the month. We will again partner with Seattle’s Child Magazine, who will feature one honoree each day on their website. Be sure to check our Facebook and Twitter feeds to find out each day who the next honoree is. We hope you will find their stories as inspiring and uplifting as we did! And to all our honorees, congratulations!

Five Children's Books to Support Healthy Families

The research and information about ACES – Adverse Childhood Experiences – is critical in helping us better support children and families who have experienced trauma. But it’s even more critical to focus on what individuals and communities can actually do to help alleviate the negative effects of ACES. In Pierce County, our early learning coalition, Project Child Success, is using the Five Protective Factors as a framework for our efforts.

The Five Protective Factors are the foundation of the Strengthening Families Approach:

1. Parental resilience
2. Social connections
3. Concrete support in times of need
4. Knowledge of parenting and child development
5. Social and emotional competence of children.

Research studies show that when these Protective Factors are well established in a family, the likelihood of child abuse and neglect diminishes. They also build on a family’s strengths and place hardship in context.

We can support the protective factors in our communities and workplaces in large and small ways. One of the small ways the library is supporting them is using picture books to highlight each factor. Here are just a few to illustrate this idea:

Parental Resilience

Boats for Papa by Jessixa Bagley

Buckley misses his Papa and each day gathers driftwood to make a boat, attaching a note to it and sending it adrift to wherever Papa is now. Bagley effectively uses an animal family in this beautiful story of grief, resilience, and love.

Social Connections

Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story by JaNay Brown-Wood

There are so many wonderful things about this book! It counts beyond 10, is filled with joy and connection, and a child is the one to solve the problem. Celebrating friends and family gatherings is a wonderful way to highlight the importance of social connections.

Concrete Support in Times of Need

Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

Every Sunday, CJ and his Nana ride the bus to the same place. CJ complains, but Nana always seems to have a loving way to respond. This lovely book (A Newbury winner!) promotes a place that offers concrete support in times of need. But CJ’s Nana’s approach to life does the same.

Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development

The Boss Baby by Marla Frazee

This hilarious book illustrates all the exhaustion, efforts, and love that is required of all new parents. A must read for every new parent.

Social Emotional Competence of Children

Wild Feelings by David Milgrim

This funny book features many similes that English speakers use to describe feelings. It also delivers a comforting message about big feelings (with many laughs along the way).

Picture books are a creative way to approach difficult feelings, events, and challenges. They are one small way to promote the protective factors and offer gentle support for families. Your local librarian can help you find more wonderful books that your children and families will love.

Recognize Your Hero: Celebrate Washington Parents

The Department of Early Learning’s (DEL) Strengthening Families Washington division, with the help of Seattle’s Child will recognized 28 parents in February 2017 at the State’s annual Unsung Heroes event.

The initiative is meant to honor “Unsung Heroes” or parents or caregivers who demonstrate strength, courage and empathy in their communities.

This year’s honorees from all over the State will be invited to western Washington for the 2017 Unsung Heroes event where family, friends and nominators can share inspirational stories about what it means to be an Unsung Hero in their communities.

DEL Director Hunter and Assistant Director Williamson
congratulate an Unsung Hero and parent at last year's event.

Last year, DEL Director, Ross Hunter as well as DEL Assistant Director, Greg Williamson awarded 29 Unsung Heroes and their families with a plaque and inspirational children’s book, The Dot after sharing dinner and playing with children attendees at Olympia’s Mobile Hands On Children’s Museum.

Each Unsung Hero’s story will also be available online at www.seattleschild.com/Parenting/ and will be shared on DEL’s Facebook page.

More about Unsung Heroes

Unsung Heroes has celebrated parents and caregivers in Washington State since 2011. Nominees are selected based on their ability to utilize five “protective factors,” in their work and/or personal life such as:

·         Knowledge of parenting and child development

·         Social connections

·         Parental resiliency

·         Concrete support in times of need

·         Social and emotional competence of children

If you are interested in nominating someone for a 2017 Unsung Hero award, please fill out the Unsung Hero Award Form and send it to strengtheningfamilies@del.wa.gov or by mail to SFWA, 1110 Jefferson St. SE, Olympia Washington, 98501.

Eleven Community-based Organizations Receive Federal Funding

Eleven programs were awarded funding from the Community Based Child Abuse Prevention (CBCAP) federal funding source for the 2016/2017 fiscal year.

“This year’s recipients serve hundreds of Washington families,” said Greg Williamson, Assistant Director at the Washington State Department of Early Learning. “These community organizations ensure that families have the social and emotional tools they need to keep their children healthy and safe.”

Each grantee organization offers services to support some, if not all, of Strengthening Families Protective Factor Framework:

·         Knowledge of parenting and child development,

·         Social connections,

·         Parental resiliency,

·         Concrete support in times of need and

·         Social and emotional competence of children/nurturing and attachment.

The programs awarded serve low income families, provide educational support services, match children with special needs to services, aid homeless families, promote prevention of child maltreatment and more.

This year’s recipients include:

·         Parent Trust for Washington Children, King County*

·         Ukrainian Community Center of Washington, King County*

·         Families Together for People with Disabilities, Whitman County*

·         American Indian Community Center, Spokane*

·         First Step Family Support Center, Clallam County

·         Housing Hope, Snohomish County

·         South Sound Parent to Parent, Thurston County

·         Volunteers of America of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, Spokane County

·         The NW Network of Bisexual, Trans, Lesbian & Gay Survivors of Abuse, King County

·         Perinatal Support of Washington, King, Grays Harbor, Pierce and Yakima Counties

·         San Juan Island Family Resource Center, San Juan County

*Denotes first-year program grantee.

For more information on CBCAP and grantees, visit Strengthening Families Washington, or see go here: 2016/2017 Grantees. 

Community Cafe

Have you heard about something called, Community Café, and wondered what the heck “it” is?  Here’s your primer. 

At its core, Community Café is a prescribed format for hosting large group discussions.  Based on the World Café Method, the Community Café is a smaller scale forum for group discussions that maintain the seven design principles of the World Café Method.  These seven principles lay out the “rules” for these constructed conversations:

1.       Set the context: for successful conversations, you must have a clear purpose and parameters to enable constructive discussions.

2.       Create hospitable space: you need to create a safe, comfortable and inviting space for open and honest conversations.

3.       Explore questions that matter: construct questions that are relevant and that will explore the objectives you wanted to achieve.

4.       Encourage everyone’s contribution: café conversations need full participation even if someone only feels comfortable listening to the conversation.  

5.       Connect diverse perspectives: mix up small group discussions with other groups to share differing perspectives and common themes.

6.       Listen together for patterns and insights: just as important to sharing your ideas it is equally as important to actively listen.  Make connections between ideas.

7.       Share collective discoveries: sometimes called “harvest” share small group conversations with the larger group to capture similar themes, patterns and insight.

Community Cafés are planned, led and monitored by individuals and community members who go through an orientation to learn the components of this approach.  They learn the World Café principles for hosting can relate to the participants and build on the assets of their neighborhood, group-building traditions, customs, visuals, foods and music from the cultures represented in each café to help to ensure cultural relevance.  Meaningful relationships develop as individuals and community partners participate as equals in a café series that sustains a value of reciprocity. 

The Community Café model has been used by Strengthening Families organizations to empower participants; many of which are parents.  Families are strengthened when communities support the building of social capital.  Reciprocity, or opportunities for families to contribute to their community, is essential to a supportive and healthy community; residents have the opportunity to contribute and a culture of reciprocity develops.  (www.cssp.org)

Strengthening Families organizations using the Community Café model construct conversations as they relate to the Strengthening Families Protective factor framework, published by the Center for the Study of Social Policy.  The five protective factors at the foundation of Strengthening Families are characteristics that have been shown to make positive outcomes more likely for young children and their families, and to reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect.   

The Community Café works well for Strengthening Families organizations because it builds on the foundation that parents and communities want to do right by their children.  The framework builds on individuals’ strengths and empowers participants to support each other and build stronger communities in the process. 

DEL Celebrates Parents and Honors Unsung Heroes

The Department of Early Learning’s (DEL) Strengthening Families Washington division, with the help of Seattle’s Child has recognized 29 parents this past month in honor of Parent Recognition Month (February). This past fall, Strengthening Families Washington requested nominations from the public to honor “Unsung Heroes” or parents or caregivers who demonstrate strength, courage and empathy in their communities.

DEL Director, Ross Hunter makes paper & popsicle-stick 

helicopters with an Unsung Hero’s child at the 

mobile Hands On Children’s Museum.

DEL received many nominations and a committee of parents in Thurston County selected 29—one for each day in February. The 29 honorees from all over the state were then invited to Lacey, Washington for the 2016 Unsung Heroes event where family, friends and nominators shared inspirational stories about what it means to be an Unsung Hero in their communities.

“These families are up against incredible barriers, and yet, they show resilience and great strength,” said DEL Director, Ross Hunter. “I am honored to share a meal with the Unsung Heroes, hear their inspirational stories and award them for their unwavering dedication to kids.”

DEL Director, Ross Hunter and Assistant Director,
Greg Williamson honor Stephanie Cochran
(University Place).

Hunter as well as DEL Assistant Director, Greg Williamson awarded 29 Unsung Heroes and their families with a plaque and inspirational children’s book, The Dot after sharing dinner and playing with children attendees at Olympia’s Mobile Hands On Children’s Museum.

“Each honoree has a unique and truly inspiring story,” said Williamson. “Some are volunteers within their communities; others are mentors or foster parents—some have experienced great loss and personal triumph. All of the Unsung Heroes are assets to the families and children they serve daily.”

Each Unsung Hero’s story is available online at www.seattleschild.com/Parenting/ and has been shared on DEL’s Strengthening Families Facebook page.

More about Unsung Heroes

Nominator Laura Crooks reads nomination
to her husband, Hero Todd Crooks (Seatlle).

Unsung Heroes has celebrated parents and caregivers in Washington State since 2011. Nominees are selected based on their ability to utilize five “protective factors,” in their work and/or personal life such as:

·         Knowledge of parenting and child development

·         Social connections

·         Parental resiliency

·         Concrete support in times of need

·         Social and emotional competence of children

If you are interested in nominating someone for a 2017 Unsung Hero award, please look for further communication in the fall of 2016.

DEL Director, Ross Hunter plays with the wind
tunnel at the Mobile Hands On Children's Museum.

Event photos courtesy of Jamey Davidsmeyer.

Pinwheels for Prevention: Make a Difference in Preventing Child Abuse

The Department of Early Learning (DEL) is observing National Child Abuse Prevention month in April of this coming year (2016) by raising awareness in communities about child abuse and neglect prevention. As the Prevent Child Abuse Washington State Chapter, Strengthening Families (a program within DEL) encourages you to join the Pinwheels for Prevention initiative. This initiative uses pinwheels – a timeless symbol for childhood – to represent its campaign. 

More about Prevent Child Abuse America:
Prevent Child Abuse America is the national champion of great childhoods for all children. Founded in 1972 in Chicago, Prevent Child Abuse America works to promote the healthy development of children and prevent child abuse before it can occur in order to help children to grow up and contribute in their communities. The organization helps nearly 100,000 families a year through our Healthy Families America program and put 92 cents of every dollar raised towards programs that help children and families thrive.

More about Pinwheels in WA:
Last year DEL distributed thousands of pinwheels to communities around the state. Pinwheels for Prevention is a reminder that it is not enough to respond to child abuse and neglect – we must build and support strong families through community engagement, programs, and policies. This movement works towards developing communities that are healthy, safe, and nurturing for all children and all families.

Please place your order for pinwheels using the form found here as soon as possible. Pinwheels are available on a first come, first serve basis. Pinwheels will be available for delivery in March. All proceeds benefit the Children's Trust of Washington.

Look for more information on this blog about Pinwheels for Prevention and Child Abuse Prevention Month in the coming weeks.

Want more information about reporting child abuse? Find it here: Reporting Child Abuse.

Interested in contributing to Prevent Child Abuse in your state? Find out more here: Contributing to Prevent Child Abuse.

Recognize an Unsung Hero

Since 2011, with your help, DEL's Strengthening Families Washington division has honored 112 men and women in Washington for the roles they have taken with their families, school and communities. These people are the "unsung heroes" and they are recognized during Parent Recognition Month (February). These parents and caregivers have been recognized because they have shown strength, courage and empathy in their communities, and because they have demonstrated the use of Protective Factors in their provided care.

Research has found Protective Factors reduce stress and promote the well-being of ALL families.

The Five Protective Factors are:

• Parental Resilience: I can overcome hard times and bounce back. 
• Social Connection: I have people who know and support me. 
• Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development: I know where to go to find out about parenting skills and my child’s developmental growth. 
• Concrete Support in Times of Need: I know where to turn to for help. 
• Social and Emotional Competence of Children: I know how to help my children talk about their feelings. 

2015's Unsung Heroes event was a great success and featured families with children of all ages, DEL Director Bette Hyde and Washington's First Lady, Trudi Inslee. 

Do you know a parent, primary caregiver, guardian, foster or adoptive parent or a grandparent who shows one or more of these strengths?

Visit this page to find out how to nominate this special person in your life: nomination, and we will give special recognition to 28 individuals from around the state by awarding them publicly with an Unsung Hero Award! The deadline is January 4.

We invite you to nominate a parent, primary caregiver, or guardian who lives in Washington to receive this special Unsung Hero Award. Tell us what you think is so remarkable about them. We will select 28 nominees – one for each of the 28 days in February – for a special award, which we will present to them during a ceremony. 

 

Spotlight on Perinatal Support Washington

Postpartum Support International of Washington is now Perinatal Support Washington. Perinatal Support Washington is a nonprofit organization committed to lifting the veil on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and treating them effectively.

The goals of Perinatal Support Washington are to:

• Provide personal support to women with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and their famililes
• Educate the public concerning the nature and management of these disorders
• Promote continuing education and networking among related professionals

Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs)

The spectrum of perinatal emotional complications are referred to as Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs). They can begin during pregnancy or after birth. Mothers, fathers, and adoptive parents also can experience mood and anxiety disorders during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period.

Many of us refer to emotional complications after birth as “postpartum depression” or just “postpartum”. However, we know that perinatal emotional complication are not just depression and that many women experience emotional changes that begin during pregnancy- this is why we refer to them as a spectrum that includes many different responses to the changes we are experiencing.

Perinatal Emotional Complications can interfere with a family’s joy over a new baby and interrupt the parent-infant bonding process. They can appear as late as a year postpartum and during significant hormonal changes such as weaning from the breast or the return of menstruation.

The following lists of symptoms can be applied to both pregnant and postpartum parents.

The fast facts about “Baby blues”

Nearly 85 percent of all new mothers experience the baby blues after giving birth. Baby blues will only last 2-3 weeks and will improve with self care such as eating and sleeping. Anything after this 2-3 week period could indicate something other than baby blues.

Depression
• Feelings of despair/hopelessness
• Crying, tearfulness
• Anger and irritability
• Sleep disturbances (too much/little)
• Loss of energy and interest
• Physical symptoms (clumsiness, slowed speech, etc.)
• Suicidal thoughts
• Frightening thoughts about self, baby or other family members
• Weight loss or gain
• Feelings of guilt, shame, inadequacy
• Hypochondria, excessive worries

Anxiety
• Muscle tension
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath; choking sensation
• Hot/cold flashes
• Tingling hands/feet
• Agitation/restless
• Fear of dying
• Fear of going crazy
• Faintness
• Irritability
• Anger/rage
• Fear of being alone, fears about baby’s health, agoraphobia
• Feeling trapped, immobilizing guilt
• Racing heartbeat
• Hyperventilating
• Nausea/vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
• Recurring, persistent and disturbing thoughts, ideas or images (scary images of accidents, abuse, harm to baby)
• Ritual behaviors done to avoid harming baby (e.g., put away knives) or to create protection for baby (e.g., don’t leave the house), constantly checking the baby, house, etc.
• Intrusive thoughts, fears, images
• Person cannot control thoughts
• Person understands that to act on these thoughts would be wrong
• Hypervigilant (e.g., can’t sleep for fear that something will happen to baby/ constant “fight or flight” mode)
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (usually occurs soon after birth)
• Previous trauma (recent or in the past – abuse, accident, etc.)
• Feeling of anxiety when exposed to situations similar to the trauma
• Sensations of “being in the trauma” now
• Nightmares
• Emotional numbing/detachment

DEL is a strong advocate of the campaign, "Speak Up When You are Down." If you feel you have any of these symptoms or are concerned about a loved one, call 1.888.404.7763 for support. The hotline is operated through a partnership with Perinatal Support Washington.

Up to 80 percent of new mothers experience some form of baby blues. Postpartum depression (PPD) is more than the baby blues, and it won’t go away on its own. Help is available. Talking about how you feel is the first step.

The Washington State Postpartum Depression Awareness Campaign (Speak Up When You're Down) is the result of 2005 legislation to provide a public awareness campaign to educate women and their families about the signs, symptoms and treatment of PPD.

Talking about PPD can be the first step toward recovery. The campaign message, “Speak Up When You’re Down,” encourages women and their families to talk openly with each other and with their health care provider if they are feeling down.

Washington residents and agencies may order hard copies of these materials by sending an email with their address and requested quantity to strengtheningfamilies@del.wa.gov.

Downloadable Resources:

• Common questions about postpartum depression (PPD)
• Suggested books and online resources
• Speak Up When You're Down brochure
• Speak Up When You're Down brochure (Spanish)
• Speak Up When You're Down poster