Learn how to keep children safe and healthy

Learn how to keep children safe and healthy. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, or other concerned adult, you have the power to prevent child abuse and neglect. • Know the issues • Learn the risks • Take action Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Our Mission The Power To Create A Better Future is a new initiative that’s designed to generate a sense of responsibility in preventing child abuse and neglect by offering resources and information to parents, caregivers, educators, social workers, healthcare professionals, and other concerned citizens. Our goal is to improve the well-being of children so that every child in Southwest Ohio has the opportunity and resources to grow up safe and healthy. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Counties we serve • Adams • Brown • Butler • Clermont • Clinton • Hamilton • Highland • Warren Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

You have the power to make a difference. Roughly one in four children in the U. S. have experienced abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Know the facts 1 in 5 children in Southwest Ohio live in poverty. Half of all Ohio children taken into custody in 2016 had parents who were using drugs. One-third of all individuals who were abused or neglected as children will subject their own children to maltreatment. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Create a Healthy Home Nurture them Children need to know that they are special, loved, and capable of following their dreams. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Create a Healthy Home Help yourself When life is overwhelming, take a break and remember what is important before interacting with your child. If you’re experiencing stress, it is a sign that self care is needed. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Create a Healthy Home Keep calm It is normal to feel stressed when your baby cries for a long period of time, affecting your ability to think calmly and rationally. Your reactions may be panicked, meaning that you are not thinking clearly. Never shake a baby. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Create a Healthy Home Discipline thoughtfully Discipline should be used as a tool to teach, rather than punish, a child. Discipline with love. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Create a Healthy Home Monitor media usage Violent content and social media can be harmful to children. Know what your child is viewing and who they are talking to online. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Help Your Community Help a friend, neighbor, or relative with childcare Childcare can be difficult for working caretakers to arrange, especially during holidays or school breaks. Offer a helping hand so caregivers can rest. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Help Your Community Mentor a child Children’s lives are shaped by their experiences, their environment, and the relationships they have with adults they look up to. It only takes one adult to form a positive impression on a child and help ensure long-term health and well-being. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Help Your Community Get involved Ask community leaders, clergy members, libraries, and schools to develop services to meet the needs of healthy children and families. Offer to help obtain resources. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Help Your Community Promote programs in school Teach children, parents, and educators prevention strategies to help keep children safe. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Help Your Community Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program For information about volunteer opportunities, email OCTF@OCTF. ohio. gov Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

The Power to Help Your Community Offer assistance Provide material needs to a family or donate funds for children’s activity fees or club memberships. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

You have the power to help a child. Child abuse is often done by someone the child knows and trusts. A child who is being abused may feel guilty, ashamed, confused, or afraid to tell anyone. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Know the signs • • Unexplained injuries Changes in behavior Fear of going home Changes in eating or sleeping Changes at school Lack of personal care Risk-taking behaviors Inappropriate sexual behavior Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Get the tools to create a better future for children and families. Visit Create. ABetter. Future. org Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

If you are concerned that a child is being abused, seek help immediately. Support and funding is provided by Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Protective and risk factors that impact children • According to research, multiple risk and protective factors influence child abuse and neglect. Everything impacts a child from their family, their community, and our society can child abuse and neglect. Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Create. ABetter. Future. org

Protective Factors Society Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD • Concrete supports (Selected federal income supports to vulnerable families) • Policies that provide support families need • Research and advancement in neuroscience/brain architecture and understanding of ACES (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Create. ABetter. Future. org

Risk Factors Society Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD • Poverty and deprivation of basic needs • Lack of collective (shared) responsibilities for children • Low level of importance to politicians/lack of political will • Culture of individualism and individual responsibility; punitive system for those who need support and assistance • Lack of standards/clarity on adequate parenting and parental behaviors Create. ABetter. Future. org

Protective Factors Community Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD • Adequate resources to meet community needs • Community norming of acceptable parenting behaviors • Social connections and cohesion • Quality public transportation • High-quality pre-and post-natal programs • Quality child care • Community of faith and interest groups for belonging Create. ABetter. Future. org

Risk Factors Community • Impoverished neighborhood • Environment problems • • • Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Neighborhood violence High crime Unemployment Social isolation Poor schools High mobility No safe place for child play Inadequate housing and homelessness Inadequate/non-existent social support and cohesion Create. ABetter. Future. org

Protective Factors Parents & Family Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD • Knowledge of parenting and child development (Early childhood education) • Capacity/willingness to nurture and attach to child • Parental resilience (hope) • Physical, emotional and economic well-being • Faith and spirituality • Healthy partner relationship Create. ABetter. Future. org

Risk Factors Parents & Family • Material hardship/economic insufficiency • • Situational or enduring problems • • • Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Housing instability Under-or unemployment Food insufficiency Mental health/maternal depression Substance abuse Interpersonal family violence Create. ABetter. Future. org

Protective Factors Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD • Nurturing and Attachment • Social and emotional competence • Resilience • “Easy Child” Temperament Create. ABetter. Future. org

Risk Factors Child • Child vulnerability • • • Child Abuse And Neglect Hotline 855 -OH-CHILD Young age Poor health Behavioral challenges Developmental demands Poor or challenging attachment Physical or mental health disabilities • Many children/closely spaced together • Unmet basic needs Create. ABetter. Future. org