MARADMINS : 107/14
R 120927Z MAR 14
UNCLASSIFIED/
MARADMIN 107/14
MSGID/GENADMIN,USMTF,2007/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MF(UC)F002//
SUBJ/NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH//
POC/KESHA RAWLINGS/CIV/UNIT:MFC/-/TEL:703-432-9087//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. BACKGROUND. IN 1983, APRIL WAS PROCLAIMED THE FIRST NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. AS A RESULT, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AWARENESS ACTIVITIES ARE PROMOTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY DURING APRIL OF EACH YEAR. CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT NEGATIVELY IMPACT EVERYONE FROM CHILDREN, FAMILIES, COMMANDS, AND THE MILITARY COMMUNITY. THIS YEARS THEME IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING IDEAS: IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE TO REACH OUT TO A PARENT IN NEED AND YOUR HELPING HAND COULD HELP A CHILD OR YOUTH AT RISK. SUPERVISION IS KEY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH; IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE FOR A TRAGEDY TO HAPPEN. IF YOU ARE UNDER STRESS, IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE TO PUT YOUR YOUNG CHILD IN A SAFE PLACE AND STEP AWAY TO GATHER YOURSELF OR CALL A FRIEND. IF YOU SEE AN UNSUPERVISED CHILD TAKE ACTION, IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE TO HELP LOCATE THE CHILDS CAREGIVER OR CALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR ASSISTANCE. IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE TO PRAISE A CHILD. CHILD SAFETY AND WELL BEING IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY...IT IS YOUR BUSINESS.
2. COMMANDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT COORDINATED COMMUNITY PREVENTION EFFORTS BETWEEN PARENTS, LOCAL AGENCIES, AND MARINE CORPS COMMUNITY SERVICES (E.G., FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAMS (FAP), CHILDREN, YOUTH AND TEEN PROGRAMS (CYTP), AND LOCAL CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES).
3. INSTALLATIONS AND COMMUNITIES OFFER MANY RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT INCLUDING: FAP, COMMUNITY COUNSELING PROGRAM, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE CHILD SAFETY HOTLINE AT 877-790-1197, AND MARINE CORPS DSTRESS LINE AT 877-476-7734. THESE RESOURCES PROVIDE AMPLE SUPPORT SPECIFIC TO CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND TEENS AND CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION COVERING VARIOUS TOPICS INCLUDING CHILD CARE RESOURCES, INFORMATION AND REFERRAL, CHILD DEVELOPMENT MILESTONES, PARENTING, FAMILY, AND STRESS MANAGEMENT.
4. KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY; WE CAN AND WILL PREVENT CHILD ABUSE. IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE.
5. RELEASE AUTHORIZED BY BGEN R. A. C. SANBORN, DIRECTOR, MARINE AND FAMILY PROGRAMS DIVISION.//