This issue of the Council Courier contains information chosen just for you. As a member of a Chartered Prevention Council, you deserve to receive all of the necessary information to make your job easier. Please take the time to review the articles/resources and let us know if you have any questions or comments.

The months of July and August are commonly referred to as the “Dog Days of Summer.”  This time span often has some of the hottest temperatures, during which days may seem to drag along. By this point in summer, it can be easy to forget the anticipation and hope we had before the season began.  Similarly, as child abuse preventionists, doing this essential but difficult work overtime may cause a waning of the motivation and hope we had when we first became involved.  It is common for attitudes to vacillate and evolve, however below are a couple of things which may help to reinvigorate our prevention mojo:

Instill more HOPE into your life and work related to child abuse prevention. Check out the Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences (HOPE) website.

For those not familiar, “Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) can ease toxic stress and help children and youth grow into more resilient, healthier adults. HOPE identifies ways that our communities and systems of care can better ensure that all children have more positive experiences and that all families have support to nurture and celebrate their strengths.”

The Four Building Blocks of HOPE are composed of key positive childhood experiences (PCEs), which are:

• Relationships
• Safe, equitable, stable environments
• Social and civil engagement
• Emotional growth

The sources of those experiences and opportunities are the foundation for healthy childhood development.

Link to HOPE e-newsletter.

In case you missed it, PCAIN had a presentation on Positive Childhood Experiences from February 16, 2024, as part of our webinar series. The link to the recording of this presentation is available here. 

Prevent Child Abuse America came out with its “Theory of Change” document last year, which is designed as a framework of sorts to grow and build a comprehensive child abuse prevention ecosystem. This document can be utilized by any organization at any stage of development, to help grow a tightly woven protective network of child abuse prevention minded individuals and groups.  The link to PCAA website to access the Theory of Change document here. 

PCAIN Council News

Prevent Child Abuse Indiana began a new series of “lunch and learns” to align with the idea of growing a comprehensive ecosystem. The focus of these recorded meetings is to highlight and explore different opportunities for local child abuse prevention councils to engage with and explore collaboration. There have been two such “lunch and learn” opportunities thus far, as listed below:

• Please share with PCAIN any groups or out of the box collaborations your local child abuse prevention has been successful with in growing a more comprehensive child abuse prevention ecosystem in your area of Indiana. We would love to share your success in assisting other councils in enhancing their network and impact. Send ideas for future lunch and learn groups to explore to our Support Specialist, Kathy King.

• PCAIN has been working with a volunteer group of local child abuse prevention council leaders from across the state since February 2024, to review and revise both the annual chartering process, as well as idea to enhance the support and collaboration PCAIN has with local councils.  A survey was developed and shared with local child council leaders asking for your input into this process. The survey was shared and open for input on June 28 and closed on July 19. Results are being compiled for review and information to help guide the upcoming revisions. Thank you to everyone who made time to share your thoughts on the matter and help us to evolve into a more impactful network of child abuse prevention leaders throughout Indiana.

Questions, Concerns, Requests - Call us using our Toll-Free Number: 1-800-874-6880 or email Jeff Wittman, PCAIN Director

PCAIN Website Links:

• PCAIN Brochures
• PCAIN Merchandise
• PCAIN Events & Community Trainings
• To Request PCAIN Presentations/Trainings

Thank you all for working hard to ensure the children of Indiana have great childhoods!  We are fortunate to have a network of professionals and community members who work nonstop to ensure children grow up in households and communities free from abuse and neglect.

Together, prevention is possible.