April is Counseling Awareness Month

Children's Aid would not thrive without the continuous work of our counseling staff!

April is Counseling Awareness Month, a time to help the public better understand the counseling profession, the work they do, and the contributions they make to the communities we serve.

Consider your own career in counseling today!


Source: Which Counseling Career Path is Best for You?  

Thankful for Admin Professionals at CAS

Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week. Today, it is one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays.

Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles.

At Children's Aid, we depend heavily on administrative professionals at all of our Alabama offices to bring order to the storm of social service. We honor them today!

Alabama Ranks 48th in Child Care

Nearly 11 million children younger than age 5 spend an average of 35 hours a week in some type of child care setting. State child care licensing requirements govern the health, safety and learning opportunities for these children. State oversight requirements monitor compliance with state policies.

Most states do little to protect the health and safety of children in child care, according to a report released today by Child Care Aware® of America. We Can Do Better: 2013 Update is the fourth in a series of reports beginning in 2007 that scores and ranks the states on 11 program requirements and four oversight benchmarks for child care centers. 

"Families want their children to be safe in child care. They reasonably assume that a child care license means the state has approved some minimum level of protect ion for children and that the program will promote their healthy development. Our nationwide polling shows that parents also believe there is oversight by the state,” said Lynette M. Fraga, Ph.D., Executive Director at Child Care Aware of America. “However , most state licensing requirements are weak and oversight is weaker. Any grade equating to a “D” or below is simply unsatisfactory.” 

Alabama ranked #48 with a failing grade.

The following were listed as Alabama's weaknesses in terms of the report:

• Background checks do not require a check of the sex offender registry. 
• Directors are required to have less than a CDA credential. 
• Providers are only required to have a high school diploma or GED. 
• Programs are only required to address two of the specified domain activities. 
• Group size requirements do not meet NAEYC accreditation standards for any of the seven age groups.
• Staff:child ratio requirements do not meet NAEYC accreditation standards for any of the seven age groups.
• Licensing inspections of child care centers are conducted once every two years. 
• Neither complaint nor inspection reports are online.

"Quality programs make a real different for children,” said Fraga. “However, it’s hard to have a quality program with little training for staff and infrequent oversight. The result is what we have today: a large gap between what parents reasonably assume and expect, and the reality of state policies.”  

To learn more:
Visit ChildCare Aware of America
Download the Entire Report (PDF)
Download the State Report for Alabama (PDF)
 

How To Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

April is Child Abuse Prevention month, and this How to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse infographic from Parenting Safe Children shows you how to keep your children safe from sexual abuse. It debunks common myths, offers “must teach” body-safety rules, and gives you specific questions for screening caregivers. 

How to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse by www.parentingsafechildren.com

April: National Child Abuse Prevention Month

In 2010, 9,586 children were victims of abuse or neglect in Alabama representing a 15.6% increase from 2009. Of these children, 37% were neglected, 50% were physically abused, and 23% were sexually abused.

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, CAS encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Alabama a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children’s social and emotional well - being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities .

Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:
• Nurturing and attachment
• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development
• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Concrete supports for parents
• Social and emotional developmental well-being

Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website to learn more about how you can help prevent child abuse. The site features:

• Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well Being: Network for Action 2013 Resource Guide, a guide to help service providers strengthen families using the six protective factors.
• Tip sheets—in English and Spanish—for parents and caregivers that addresses concerns including stress management, raising grandchildren, connecting with teens, and more.
• Three calendars—one each for prevention programs, parents, and community partners—providing suggestions for protective factors-related activities for the month of April. 
• A new prevention video gallery featuring videos from national child abuse prevention partners.
• Child Abuse Prevention Month widgets which can be posted on your website to help promote the initiative.