Focusing on the prevention of child abuse in Hood County
Hood County for Healthy Children
Vision: Hood County is a community where children are safe, secure, healthy and have a strong sense of self-worth.
The problem
Abused children are more likely to have:
- School problems including suspension (Community-wide Children’s Health Assessment & Planning Survey, 2009 and 2012)
- Physical health problems and mental illness (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)
- Higher rates of unemployment, poverty and use of social services (National Institute of Mental Health, 2009)
- Severe injury and death when under four years of age (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010)
Hood County for Healthy Children strategic plan objectives
- Increase community awareness to support good parenting and healthy children
- Develop community opportunities to support good parenting and healthy children
- Download the HCHC overview
Taking action
Hood County for Healthy Children coalition members researched and decided to focus on the below promising and evidence-based programs in Hood County that assist parents and other caregivers in healthy parenting skills and nurturing.
Nurturing Parenting® Community Based Education in Nurturing Parenting
Hood County for Healthy Children coalition members are exploring the Community Based Education in Nurturing Parenting program, a series of ten independent 60-90 minute lessons. This evidence-based program provides the means for educating families on the philosophy and skills of Nurturing Parenting. Some topics include praising children and their behavior, building self-worth in children and learning positive ways to deal with stress and anger.
The Period of PURPLE Crying®
The coalition is exploring partnerships to implement the evidence-based Period of PURPLE Crying program. With the goal of preventing shaken baby syndrome, the program trains new parents in the phases and causes of newborn crying and provides ideas for soothing infants.
For more information, contact Marsha Waters, coordinator, Regional Outreach Service, Community Health Outreach, Cook Children’s, 682-885-3069 or Marsha.Waters@cookchildrens.org.