Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council (SCAPC)

Get your tickets to the Children’s Trust Fund Signature Auction Event on May 12, 2010, from 5:00-9:00 p.m. at the Lansing Center at www.michigan.gov/ctfsignature.  View list of live auction items at http://ctfsignatureevent.blogspot.com/

Signature Auction Event Invitation

CTF News Briefs May 2010

For March’s Parenting Awareness Month, the council had a competition for the areas 4th grade pupils to write an essay on their ‘special parent’.

Dollar Bay Winners Amber Mattfolk & Kayla Hakala

Kayla Hakala 4^th Grade -Dollar Bay- Teacher Mrs Zimmer – Parent Jennifer Hakala

My special parent would be my mom. I will give three reasons why she is special. She is Special because she helps me get stuff ready for school. For example, she packs my backpack for me, she also packs my lunch, and she lets me have what I want for lunch. My mom takes me to do fun things, for example she took me to the Hannah Montana movie in the summer time. That was really fun. She took six kids with her when most moms would not. We all sang songs in the van really loud. It was so fun. She is special because she likes to watch TV and learn with me. For example, we watch Discovery Channel and we talk about the things we have learned. I ask her all kinds of questions. For example one of the questions is like, why do the volcanoes erupt and will it happen around here? I always think my mom as a person, a special parent and a person that I will love forever and always and that’s why she is special to me.

Amber Mattfolk 4^th Grade -Dollar Bay- Teacher Mrs Zimmer – Parent Wendy Mattfolk

My mom is very special to me. Here are the reasons why. First of all, she provides me a good place to live. For example, I get a bed with pillows and blankets. I have a special blanket that I got when I was born. It is small and yellow. My mom always makes sure I have my pillows and blnakets on my bed. I get a warm home and a warm room. I get food when I’m Hungry too. Secondly, she helps me with my homework. For example, when I am stuck on a problem, she will help me. She tells me which problems I got wrong. She makes sure my answers are right when I’m done. On the 22^nd, I brought my homework to the science fair. My mom helped a lot. She is so kind. Last but not least, she cares for me. For example, when I fall down or get hurt, she helps me feel better. If I am hungry she will feed me. Today in gym, I got kicked in the leg while playing soccer. If my mom was there, I am positive she would have cared and made me feel better. I could give you many more reasons why my mom is special, but I would run out of paper. Now you know why my mom is special. I gave you three good reasons why.

Chassell Winners Mckayla Cerubini & Matthew Tuomi

Matthew Tuomi 4^th Grade-Chassell- Teacher Mrs Kokko

Dad is special because he bought two kayaks. He is a good worker, he works a lot. He brings me to a water park and to restaurants. I get to pick whatever I like. He brings us to the raft at Chassell beach. Dad teaches us when to turn at the right time when we hare lambs. We have to walk them everyday and feed them. My dad shaves the lamb fur off and takes pictures. He brings me to work with him if he can. He even brings me skiing, sledding, and out to eat. He plays games when he has time. He likes bowling a lot because he is good at it, he even likes volleyball. He brings our whole family that lives in Chassell to Detroit. My dad is the best DAD in the world because he helps other people in the world.

Mckayla Cherubini – 4^th Grade –Chassell- Teacher Mrs Kokko

McKayla and Mom.

My loving mom is important to me, because she feeds me, gives me shelter, and keeps me safe. Although she yells when she’s mad at me, I still know she loves me no matter what happens. Thankfully she helps me with my problems, and she’s there for me all the time. We like to exercise together on the Wii. Also, we started a book club and right now we’re reading “Junie B. Jones and the, ‘Stupid Smelly Bus’. She brings me places, buy me clothes, toys, snacks and especially school supplies. If there was a raging problem with me, then she would do something to fix it. I like the way she is and I hope she doesn’t change, but she can change on the outside, just not on the inside! Mom is special because she cares about everybody that is related to her or not. I love my mom so much, that I really could hug her very, very tight and not let go!

Any day you want to buy someone special flowers, buy them from FTD and use the code 14989 or order through our page at their website at http://www.ftd.com/pcamichigan/.  15% of all orders will benefit Prevent Child Abuse Michigan, Children’s Trust Fund. Shop online or call 1-800-SEND-FTD.

CTF News Briefs April 2010

Meeting Minutes April 13th FY 10 PDF

Press Release

For Immediate Release

From: Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council

Contact person:  Rhys Edwards 482-9077

Every five minutes in Michigan, a child is reported a victim of child abuse and neglect. Confirmed cased in Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw counties have been on the rise since 2003. The month of April is devoted to celebrating everything we can do to transform our community into a place that cares about-and actively supports- families and children. By ensuring that all parents in our community have access to quality childcare, affordable health services, parenting education resources, and substance abuse and mental health programs, we make progress toward what the month stands for: April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The Majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are entirely preventable in an engaged and supportive community. For example, a community that cares about early childhood development, parent support and mental health is more likely to see families nurturing children who are born healthy and enter school ready to learn. Cities and towns that work to create good school systems and that come together to ensure that affordable housing is available in good, safe neighborhoods are less likely to see stressed, isolated families who don’t know where to turn.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is about connecting all of these dots so that the solutions to child abuse receive the attention the public craves. In a recent poll 89% of Americans reported that child abuse was a “very important” moral issue to them. But it’s not enough to care about the problems and address its consequences. We have to pay attention to the kinds of efforts that will prevent it from happening in the first place so this April, learn more about what you and your community can do to support child abuse prevention. It is shared responsibility and we’re stronger when we work together.

April 25th^th is Blue Sunday, a child abuse prevention initiative founded in 1995 as a national day of prayer for child abuse victims.  The Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council, the local chapter of Michigan’s Children’s Trust Fund, is distributing blue ribbons to many of the local churches. Blue ribbons are the international symbol of child abuse prevention. Blue was chosen to represent the bruised and battered bodies of the thousands of children who are abused or neglected every day. If you are offered a blue ribbon, please wear it as a reminder that we all share the responsibility to help keep our children safe.

The Superior Child Abuse Prevention Program is a local council of the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund, serving Baraga, Houghton and Keweenaw counties. We are a community based organization that serves as an outreach component for the prevention of child abuse and neglect. SCAPC identifies needs and facilitates collaborative prevention programs. The council includes representatives of public agencies, schools, law enforcement the probate court, prosecutor’s office, parents, related private agencies and other members representing the demographic composition of the community.

To find out more about Child Abuse Prevention in your community, contact Rhys Edwards with the Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council- 482 9077

Rally to launch Child Abuse Prevention Month in Michigan a Success

Fifth-graders from Lansing’s Averill Elementary School sang “It’s My Journey” to help launch this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month at the state Capitol.

Adults and children planted a garden of bright blue and silver pinwheels March 23 at the state Capitol to launch this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month in Michigan.

The rally was sponsored by the Children’s Trust Fund and featured Lansing’s Averill Elementary School Fifth Grade Choir, who sang “It’s My Journey.”

The pinwheels represented children and families served by child abuse prevention programs in Michigan, as well as the state’s dedication to supporting healthy, safe children and families. The pinwheel is the national symbol of child abuse and neglect prevention.

This year’s event theme was once again, “The Power of One: You Can Make a Difference.” Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Michigan.

“Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to pause and acknowledge the important work being done by parents, advocates and our service providers to support child and families throughout Michigan,” said CTF Executive Director Michael Foley. “With more than 29,000 confirmations, we continue to have far too many child victims of abuse and neglect.

“As our ‘Power of One’ theme suggests, each one of us can make a difference in this vital work. We encourage everyone to work with your local child abuse councils and to participate in local events.”

Last year, 29,401 children were abuse or neglected in Michigan.

For more information, please visit www.michigan.gov/ctf.