March 20, 2008 -- Panhandle Health District Launches
Child Abuse Prevention Month Events

Hayden, ID -- Dignitaries and fields of colorful pinwheels available for picking will kick off a month of springtime events designed to raise public awareness in northern Idaho that child abuse is preventable.

The Child Abuse Prevention Month opening event will start at 3 p.m., March 27, at the Panhandle Health District (PHD), 8500 N. Atlas Rd. In an outdoor gathering, mayors and representatives from the Governor’s and state senators’ offices will proclaim northern Idaho’s commitment to preventing child abuse through education and awareness. Coeur d’Alene Police Chief Wayne Longo will welcome guests.

An indoor resource fair at PHD will provide information on child abuse prevention, early childhood education, guidance for new parents, programs that monitor growth and development in babies, in-home visits to struggling families, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for children, shelter for children who can’t stay with their parents, nutrition and more.

The public is welcome. Admission is free.

“Our Kids: Our Business” is the theme for the month of events, which will include a presentation April 24 by Dr. Robert Anda from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Anda’s address, “Connecting the Dots,” will address how people with negative childhood experiences impact communities, the economy, businesses, the health care industry and more.

His presentation will begin at 8 a.m. at the Coeur d’Alene Resort and cost $15 for breakfast. The audience is limited to 300. For reservations, call United Way at 667-8112.

Northern Idaho has observed Child Abuse Prevention Month with awareness activities for 15 years. Last year, people in Kootenai County reported more than 900 cases of child abuse and neglect. “We know that’s only a fraction of what’s out there,” says Beth Barclay, director of ICARE, a child abuse prevention program that provides parenting classes and other help for at-risk families. “Education is a great prevention tool. We want to get information out there that can help us all.”

Other events planned during the month include a training for CASA volunteers, an auction for Children’s Village, a family skate night at Skate Plaza and a Latino Outreach Project. For information, call 676-1515-1515.

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