September 9th has been proclaimed to be Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Prevention Day by the Governor.  –We are proud to be educating students about these dangers here in Saginaw County as “we are building a community where children are free from abuse and neglect”!

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Vera Harrision our Education Coordinator or Ellen Hatcher our Child Abuse Prevention Education Director at 752-7226.

In April Detective Mindy Worden, a detective from the Saginaw Township Police Department was honored at their policeman’s ball in April and Detective Ryan Oberle from the Saginaw Police Department was honored in May.  The CAN Council as a whole would like to congratulate these two detectives they are both very deserving of this award.

4Parents.gov is part of a national public education campaign to provide parents with the information, tools and skills they need to help their teens make healthy choices, including waiting until marriage to have sex.  4Parents.gov was written by the Office of Public Health and Science, with expert consultation, and in response to public comment.

Nothing is more important for a child, pre-teen, or teen than a caring parent.  If pre-teens and teens are going to make the choices that will help them grow up to be healthy adults, they need parents to talk with them about important topics like sex and relationships.  4parents.gov is meant to give parents the information and guidance they need for having these conversations.  Materials can be ordered on this site as well.

4Parents.gov is sponsored by the Office of Public Health and Science, Office of Population

Affairs, and the Public Health Service. “Teen Chat,” and “Parents, Speak Up!” guides are the result of a collaborative effort between the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Population Affairs, Office of Public Health and Sciences.

The Office of Population Affairs (OPA) Clearinghouse offers single and bulk copies of free educational materials on abstinence, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), and other reproductive health and family planning topics. Many of these materials are available in both English and Spanish. Some publications can also be downloaded and reproduced as needed.

Reconnect Children with Nature

The CAN Council is pleased to be a part of the Saginaw community-wide initiative of organizations, businesses and individuals working to promote local programs and resources that will help children and families spend more time outdoors, a No Child Left Inside initiative. All children should have access, opportunities and encouragement to play outdoors and connect with nature for their physical, emotional and educational well being. Despite advances in public health and medicine, children are developing chronic health conditions, such as obesity and depression, earlier and more frequently than ever before. Research shows that the decline in children’s health is linked in part to their growing disconnect from nature and outdoor play.

Research shows that children who play outside:

■ Are healthier physically and mentally ■ Have more active creative imaginations

■ Are more cooperative with others ■ Are good problem solvers

■ Show fewer signs of obesity ■ Have higher self-esteem

■ Do better in school ■ Have improved attention spans and test scores

■ Are engaged in helping protect our natural resources and environment

For more information visit: www.childrenandnature.org or  No Child Left Inside Coalition

United Way and  STARS is proud to announce free transportation for youth enrolled in United Way agency summer recreation programs.  Kids aged 11 to 18 years enrolled in summer recreation programs will be able to ride to and from programs for free.  To receive a free ride the young person must show a picture ID and a bus pass.  We will issue the bus pass and on that pass it will state the young person’s name and the agency they are registered with.  Each youth must show picture ID and a Bus pass to ride.

United Way encourages collaboration between agencies so any child registered with our agencies can travel between programs during business hours.  For instance a group from B & G Club with staff (regardless of age) could travel to the Y for swimming lessons.

The program will start June 14 and will end August 20. For funding purposed programs need to be registered to participate in this program by no later than May 14.

To date: First Ward, Boys & Girls Club, Neighborhood House, The YMCA, Youth First and Salvation Army have indicated they intend to be part of the program. Please contact Cherrie J. Benchley at 989 755 0505 for more information.

Last year a Merrill High School student, Angel Moore  made CAP Month her senior project.

Arthur Hill Honor Students planted Pinwheel Gardent and collected Items for Fill a Van for CAN.

“Plant a Pinwheel for Prevention Garden” Blue pinwheels represent “all children deserve to be raised in a healthy, stable, and nurturing home, neighborhood and community”.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is April! Sign your school, church or organization up for activities and events in April to bring awareness to prevent child abuse and neglect in Saginaw. For more information call Catherine or Ellen (989) 752-7226.

Your organization could:

q Simply plant a “Pinwheels for Prevention  Garden” at your organization’s location.  For information call Catherine or Ellen (989) 752-7226.

q Create a display, poster or place excerpts in your organization’s  announcements, newsletters or bulletins.  CAN Council Saginaw Materials and online resources:

• » Campaign Flyer
• » Did You Know Flyer
• » Children’s Prayer (full sheet)
• » Children’s Prayer (half sheet double-sided bulletin insert)
• » Childhelp (statistics and facts)
• » Child Welfare Gateway (statistics and facts)
  

q Distribute Parent Information Handouts at your church or school.  The following links have some very useful parent handouts:

• » Exchange Club Believe in the Blue
• » Parent Awareness Month Handouts
• » Strengthening Families Handouts
• » CAN Family Activity Calendar

q Organize a collection drive “Fill a Van for CAN” Wishlist for the month of April.  Items are delivered on Sunday April 25th  for “Fill a Van for CAN”  (or items can be dropped off during business hours).

q Get your own Pinwheel! Look for local Credit Unions and McDonalds who are will be selling Pinwheels or Blue Ribbon Cards for $1 throughout the month of April. Parent Information and prevention material will be distributed.

q Please join us for a CAP Month event (click here for more details)

If you are a mandated reporter, please update your contact files so it will be accessible to you if you need it.

Here are the new numbers:

For Saginaw County:
Children’s Protective Services in Saginaw

Intake:  (989) 758-2200

FAX: (989) 758-2290