We all can play a part in making meaningful connections

April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

San Antonio, TX – Today Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. (MHM) was blanketed with hues of blue shirts, pins and apparel in support of victims of child abuse and neglect. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

This month and throughout the year, MHM encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Bexar County a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children's social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.

Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth and families are promoted. The six protective factors are nurturing and attachment; knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development; parental resilience; social connections; concrete supports for parents; and social and emotional developmental well-being.

"April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children," explains Kevin C. Moriarty, President & CEO. "Everyone's participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development."

In support of these efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children's Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, its Child Welfare Information Gateway, the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention, and the Center for the Study of Social Policy – Strengthening Families have created Making Meaningful Connections 2015 Resource Guide. The guide, designed for service providers who work throughout the community to strengthen families, is available on Information Gateway's website: https://childwelfare.com/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/resource-guide/.

For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities during the month of April, and throughout the year, contact info@mhm.org.