April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Lisa Thrower, Executive Director of The Regional Health Care Foundation, announced recently that April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In making the announcement, Thrower pointed out that not only during April, but throughout the year, the Foundation, in partnership with Mother-to-Mother, continues to encourage all individuals and organizations in Stoddard County to play a role in making the county a better place for children and families.

"When we ensure that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their child, we can help promote children's social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities."

The announcement of Child Abuse Prevention Month coincides with the Foundation's Mother-to-Mother program being recognized recently as a recipient of the '2013 Leaders in Child Abuse Prevention Award.' This is the first time that The Missouri Prevention Partners has presented this award.

Mother-to-Mother is one of 27 prevention programs state wide to receive this honor. This announcement was made at the recent Children's Trust Fund Conference held in Jefferson City.

According to Yvonne Hall, Coordinator of Mother-to-Mother, "We are very pleased with this award, as should the residents of Stoddard County be. Without the overwhelming support that individuals, churches, and organizations have given to Mother-to-Mother, we would not have been able to reach out and help so many young moms and their children over the years."

Hall went on to say that the award also goes to Mother-to-Mother volunteer mentors who have given countless number of hours working, playing and helping their mentees to understand what a real mother is.

"This work also involves helping these young moms to come to know themselves," said Hall.

As one participant stated, "I realized that in order to take good care of my baby, I had to first take care of myself physically and emotionally. My mentor and the Mother-to-Mother Program helped me do that."

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month and Mother-to-Mother's efforts in this area, The Daily Statesman will be running articles dealing with two other programs that Mother-to-Mother has implemented through a grant from The Missouri Foundation for Health in the near future.