#ncapm2020

[dcsopenline]

Northwest Regional Office Goes Blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month

Kudos to the Northwest Regional Office in Dresden for supporting National Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue!

[casaforkidsofet]

Registration has begun for our virtual May volunteer advocate training! Give us a shout at [email protected] and we will answer all of your questions and get you on the roster. #childabuseawareness #BecomeACASA #TheCASADifference #PreventionMonth #NCAPM2020 #casa4kidsofet #eyesonkids (at CASA for Kids of East Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Kxt3YFIH-/?igshid=1fpwr2aw57e34

[casaforkidsofet]

Weary. Aren't we all just weary? Ready to be on with our lives. Imagine being a child only knowing the ugly world. Thinking that the life they are living is all there is. Wondering if all kids have "this" kind of life. That is the weariness of every day in their lives. Then one day, it is all different. Something changes and they have a tiny flicker of hope. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. Won't you be a part of the hope of this child? There are many ways to help. Volunteer your time and life experience. Just for today, learn more. Maybe tomorrow you may choose to do more. casaforkidsofet.org 903.597.7725 [email protected] #eyesonkids #casa4kidsofet #ncapm2020 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_CvcY8FGla/?igshid=136eu32a2e57a

[dcsopenline]

Gov. Lee, Commissioner Nichols Urge Citizens to Report Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect During COVID-19 Crisis

Tennessee State Capitol shines bright blue on April 1st to recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Watch a video of Governor Lee discussing National Child Abuse Prevention Month in his daily COVID-19 media briefing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_QtW0bRpJA

Gov. Bill Lee joined Department of Children’s Services Commissioner Jennifer Nichols to call on all Tennesseans to pay extra attention to the children in their lives and in their communities as the response to stop the spread of COVID-19 could lead to an increase in child abuse and neglect and a decrease in reported allegations.

“Another collateral side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic is domestic abuse, particularly child abuse, in our state. As schools and many childcare centers are closed and children are outside of the structured environment they are normally in, I want to remind everyone that each of us is a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse. I encourage all Tennesseans to be vigilant, to be engaged, to be certain that during this time of crisis we don’t add additional damage and that children are safe and protected,” Gov. Lee said.

Many families are using this time of social distancing together by completing school or educational projects, playing games, watching movies, taking walks outdoors, and enjoying other activities. But higher levels of stress due to self-isolation, combined with many adults suddenly working from home or facing unemployment, could potentially lead to an increase in the number of children being physically or sexually abused or neglected.

“This is a real concern. We normally receive many reports of child abuse and neglect from teachers, childcare workers, and medical professionals – all people who see children on a regular basis. With families staying home to due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and schools and childcare centers closed, there are fewer eyes on this vulnerable population,” Commissioner Nichols said.

The number of calls handled by the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline decreased nearly 19 percent in March 2020 compared to March 2019, falling from 9,934 one year ago to 8,070 this past month.

“It is more important than ever to increase awareness that all Tennesseans are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. During this unprecedented time, everyone is not necessarily safer at home,” Nichols urged.

The announcement fell on the first day of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Under Tennessee law, it is every citizen’s responsibility to report known or suspected abuse or neglect. DCS encourages neighbors, friends, family, and even parents to be vigilant and call the Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline [phone]) to make reports. Citizens can also report child abuse online at https://apps.tn.gov/carat/ or on the MyTN app.

The Child Abuse Hotline has continued to operate during this crisis. DCS hotline staff continue to follow the same protocols to ensure all reports of child abuse and neglect are screened and investigated. Child Protective Services investigators are still going out to make face-to-face visits on all initial referrals of child abuse and neglect, following CDC guidelines.

[scribesandvibes]

#artisactivism / we draw attention to #theelephantintheroom #Repost @sherrybostonda ・・・ April is both National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Now, as we shelter in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever for us to raise awareness about these critical issues. Sadly, the data shows that child abuse and sexual assault cases will spike during this time of crisis in our communities. We all have a responsibility to learn about these issues and how they can be prevented. #NCAPM2020 #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #SAAM #BostonBuildingBridges ・・・ #vibewise: #wegiveavoicetothevoiceless -#scribesandvibes #adifferentkindofvibe #unorthodoxtribe https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cS1QNBq-k/?igshid=1epqfwz22oc64

[scribesandvibes]

#artisactivism / we draw attention to #theelephantintheroom #Repost @sherrybostonda ・・・ April is both National Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Now, as we shelter in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is more important than ever for us to raise awareness about these critical issues. Sadly, the data shows that child abuse and sexual assault cases will spike during this time of crisis in our communities. We all have a responsibility to learn about these issues and how they can be prevented. #NCAPM2020 #ChildAbusePreventionMonth #SAAM #BostonBuildingBridges ・・・ #vibewise: #wegiveavoicetothevoiceless -#scribesandvibes #adifferentkindofvibe #unorthodoxtribe https://www.instagram.com/p/B-cSS_RBWOP/?igshid=1juaa7vspv6um

[dcsopenline]

Child Abuse Prevention

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tennessee children are not in school, which can be a safe place for many. Teachers and school counselors, some of our most common child abuse reporters, are not able to keep their eyes on these children daily. Because of that, it’s important for us all to remind our friends, family and neighbors to pay extra attention to the children in their life.

Next month is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and DCS has a campaign planned, but we need to be spreading this message now as well. Please share the photo above and make sure everyone in your life knows they, too, are mandated reporters.