KidsFirst

Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements

Child maltreatment is a significant social and public health problem in the United States (U.S.).  In 2006, child protective services confirmed that approximately 905,000 children in the U.S. were victims of maltreatment and 1,530 died from abuse or neglect.  Unfortunately, these numbers likely underestimate the magnitude of the problem in this country. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is pleased to announce the publication of Child Maltreatment Surveillance: Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements.  This document provides conceptual definitions of child maltreatment, presents associated terms, and recommends data elements for voluntary use by the public health community in the development of surveillance systems.   Hard copies of the publication can be ordered on-line at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/pubs/ncipc.aspx.   An electronic copy is available at http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/CMP/CMP-Surveillance.htm.

Child Abuse Prevention Summit

Missouri KidsFirst will be hosting a Child Abuse Prevention Summit on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at the Marriott Courtyard in Columbia, Missouri.  Missouri KidsFirst is the lead agency for the new Missouri Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America.  As Missouri KidsFirst takes on this new role, we want to assure we understand the needs of local child abuse prevention agencies to provide the best services possible.  For a copy of the Save the Date card, click here .  More details will be shared soon.

GO BLUE for Missouri's Kids

Go Blue to put Missouri’s kids first is a statewide child abuse prevention month campaign aimed at educating adults on what they can do to stop child abuse in their communities.  Join Missouri KidsFirst as we GO BLUE to end child abuse NOW.

Community Action: What YOU can do to Stop Bullying Now!

Mark your calendar for the all-new Stop Bullying Now! Webcast hosted by U.S. Dept of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration and Maternal and Child Health Bureau.  The webcast will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2008, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 pm. EDT.  The Stop Bullying Now! Webcast will feature “spotlight examples” of state- and community-level campaigns that use the Stop Bullying Now! resources, and will outline how YOU can put the resources to work locally. The webcast will also include a brief overview of the entire Stop Bullying Now! campaign and its resources.  Stay tuned for details on how to register!

Improving Community Responses to Statutory Sexual Assault

Break the Cycle is proud to offer a webinar that will look at the challenges that arise when responding to statutory sexual violence, Improving Community Responses to Statutory Sexual Assault.  The webinar will be held on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m EST.

Wear Blue Day

The Kansas City Child Abuse Roundtable Coalition is sponsoring Kansas City's 1st Annual Child Abuse Prevention Month "Wear Blue Day" on Friday, April 18, 2008.  Businesses, churches, schools, civic organizations, government and nonprofit organizations metro-wide are being asked for their commitment to have members and staff wear blue on this important day to make a visible statement across our community that child abuse prevention is our shared responsibility.  This is a great way for large groups of people to get involved and increase awareness with virtually no expense.  The Kansas City Child Abuse Roundtable Coalition’s goal is to have at least 10,000 individuals participate this year.  If you have questions about Wear Blue Day please contact Heather Solis.

30 Days, Many Ways to Keep Kids Safe: Our Shared Responsibility

The Kansas City Child Abuse Roundtable Coalition, a group of advocates and elected officials, is joining together again this year to promote awareness of child abuse and the prevention, training and treatment services available in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area.  In past years, more than 30 community agencies have brought needed attention to this important issue through cooperation and educational opportunities for adults and children.  In 2006, the coalition expanded our Child Abuse Prevention Month activities to become a bi-state effort; and that continues for 2008.

The Roundtable Coalition will produce a calendar of scheduled events for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.  The coalition encourages your organization to plan and submit events for inclusion.  Through the generous donation of The Kansas City Star, the calendar will be published in the March 31, 2008 edition.  To have your event(s) included in this calendar, please submit the online form at The Children’s Place. 

Civil Justice for Victims of Crime in Missouri

The National Center for Victims of Crime in conjunction with the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and the Missouri Victim Assistance Network will be offering a free training seminar for criminal justice practitioners, victim advocates, mental health therapists and other allied professionals.  The seminar, Civil Justice for Victims of Crime in Missouri, will explore how victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, child sex abuse, drunk driving, homicide, workplace violence, terrorism, nursing home abuse, and financial and property crimes can use civil lawsuits to obtain justice, hold responsible parties accountable, prevent future crimes, and obtain the financial resources victims need to rebuild their lives.  The program will cover resources and strategies for victims considering civil lawsuits, and will include a panel of attorneys to answer specific questions of Missouri law.

The seminar runs from 9:00 am to 4:30 p.m. It will be held on Wednesday, April 23rd at the headquarters of the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association.  There is no cost to attend, but space is limited, so register today.

Enhancing your Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence

The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence invites you to register for and attend a free, one-day regional multidisciplinary workshop, Enhancing your Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence, with presenters from the Battered Women's Justice Project.

Community programs aim to stop child abuse

Red Wagon Kids started in response to city's being named one of the 100 best communities.  Full story at News-Leader.com