Molly Upchurch holds up her finger to remind the community that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the "It Only Takes a Minute ... to Make a Difference in the Life of a Child" campaign. Photo by: Brandi Ehlers

Everyone has a role in helping ensure that all children have the safe, healthy and nurturing environments they deserve. April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Amador County Child Abuse Prevention Council is encouraging small acts of kindness and support as steps everyone can take to protect and nurture children in support of the "It Only Takes a Minute ... to Make a Difference in the Life of a Child" campaign.

"The 'It Only Takes a Minute ... to Make a Difference in the Life of a Child' campaign focuses on the simple steps we can all take that help protect children before any harm occurs," said Robin Valencia, program coordinator for the ACCAPC. "I think the most important thing for us all to realize is that there are actual steps every adult can take to help nurture, protect, praise and love children. This isn't some enormous, overwhelming task we're asking people to do, it's little things like taking the time to listen to a child, giving a hug, buckling a car seat or seat belt, saying, 'I love you.'"

ACCAPC has purchased several of the IOTAM campaign materials with the message "It only Takes a Minute to Brighten the Life of a Child - Nurture, Protect, Praise, Love" to distribute throughout the county. All Amador County Unified School District teachers and staff will be provided with colorful buttons to wear during the month of April, banners and posters will be displayed, and magnets will be handed out at Celebrate Our Children, according to Valencia.

To celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Week of the Young Child, ACCAPC has again partnered with the Amador Child Care Council to sponsor the ninth annual Celebrate Our Children day. This free event will be held Saturday, April 21 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Italian Picnic Grounds on Highway 49.

"Each year Celebrate Our Children is held in conjunction with the Week of the Young Child to focus attention on the needs of young children and their families, and to recognize early childhood programs and services that meet those needs," Valencia said.

At the event, each participant has a booth or table where there is an activity for children. There will be demonstrations by the sheriff's K-9 unit, Red Dragon Karate, live music, 4-H rocket demonstrations, car seat safety checks, face painting and much more, Valencia said.

"We will be asking adults to sign a simple pledge card promising to do at least one thing to make a difference in the life of a child, and offering a free picture of the adult and child to place on the pledge card that can then be posted with the free, colorful magnet we are providing, reminding us to nurture, protect, praise and love," Valencia said.

Another local agency that will be at the event is SAFE KIDS. SAFE KIDS Worldwide Campaign was started in the United States in 1987 to prevent deaths and injuries to children ages 14 and younger from: motor vehicle crashes and pedestrian injuries, bike crashes, drowning, fire and scald burns, poisoning, unintentional shootings, falls and airway obstructions, according to Nancy Joyner with Amador/Calaveras SAFE KIDS.

"SAFE KIDS' presence at Celebrate Our Children brings attention to unintentional injury prevention and gives families the skills and tools they need to keep Amador County's youngest residents safe from preventable injuries," Joyner said.

At the event, certified child passenger safety technicians will provide free car seat inspections and SAFE KIDS will provide low cost or no cost car seats to low income families. Also, a bicycle rodeo will teach children the proper way to wear a bike helmet and basic rules of the road with free helmets provided to children who need them, Joyner said. Kids ID Kits will also be provided by SAFE KIDS at no charge to parents along with instructions as to how to use them.

"People who want to support families raising children are very encouraged to know that there are actions they can take right away and every day," Valencia said, "and it does only take a minute to make a difference or to be the difference in the life of a child."

ACCAPC is a nonprofit organization that provides prevention education programs free of charge in the county in the areas of Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention, Internet Safety and Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training. Financial support for its programs is always welcome. Tax deductible donations may be mailed to 505-1 State Highway 49 No. 183, Jackson, 95642, or online at www.amadorcommunityfoundation.org.



It only takes a minute ...

... to make a child smile

... to offer to listen

... to read to a child

... to fasten a child's car seat

... to discuss safe behaviors

... to distract an angry parent

... to ask for help

... to hug a child

... to tell a child a joke

... to talk to a child, and not yell

... to write a child a kind note

... to tell a child you believe in them

... to tell a child you are proud of them

... to brighten a child's day with a kind act

... to make a difference in the life of a child