1. PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS.

2. Lake County Cares for our Kids! April is an Important Month! • Child Abuse Prevention Month • Week of the Young Child • Victim Witness Protection Month

3. Lake County Cares for our Kids! A United Community Lake County agencies and organizations have chosen to come together to raise awareness on these important issues impacting our children. Together We Can Make a Difference!

4. Lake County Cares for our Kids! • Children’s Council • Lake County Child Welfare Services • Lake County Office of Education • Lake County Child Care Planning Council • Victim Witness Division • Lake Family Resource Center • InterTribal Council of California • Sunrise Special Services • First 5 Lake • Easter Seals • North Coast Opportunities • Alcohol and Other Drug Services • Redwood Children’s Services • Environmental Alternatives Foster Family Agency • Early Connection Preschools • The Learning House • Garrison’s Child Care • Yuba Community College – Early Childhood Education Department • And More are Joining Every Day!

5. Why This Matters:Child Abuse Prevention • In the next minute at least one child in the US will be the victim of abuse. • Every year over 3 million children are reported as victims of abuse. These are just the numbers that are reported. The actual numbers are estimated to be 3 times greater.

6. Why This Matters:Child Abuse Prevention • In California, 1 in every 20 children is a victim of abuse, and the statistics are estimated to be higher in Lake County. • Nearly 600,000 children in the US live in foster care. • Child abuse is 100% preventable.

7. Why This Matters:Quality Education for Every Child Quality Early Childhood Education Means: • Higher monthly earnings (29% vs. 7% earning more than $2K per month) • Higher percentages of home ownership (36% vs. 13%) • Higher level of schooling completed (71% vs. 54% completing 12th grade or higher) • Lower percentage receiving social services (59% vs. 80%) • Significantly fewer arrests (7% vs. 35%) *High/Scope Perry Preschool Study

8. Lake County Advocacy • Paper Doll Project • Community Presentations • Clearlake Proclamation Ceremony – City Council • Lakeport Proclamation Ceremony – Board of Supervisors • Advocacy Walk • Children’s Festival • Media articles/Public Service Announcements

9. What Can You Do? Report Suspected Abuse -- 10 Signs of Abuse Bookmark Be Aware of Community Resources -- Nurturing Parenting Classes -- Lake Family Resource Center -- Visit www.lakecountychildcareplanning.com for a complete Community Family Resource Guide -- Mother Wise Program -- Respite Child Care -- Your local health clinic -- Your local religious community -- Child Welfare Services Information -- Be a Foster Parent – Be a CASA Volunteer – Give of your time in your community! Be an Advocate! -- Register to participate in the 2011 Advocacy Walk – and bring your co-workers, family and friends! -- Volunteer your time and energy for the Paper Doll Project or the Advocacy Walk and Festival. -- Attend one or both of the Lake County Proclamation Ceremonies. -- Hang paper dolls and advocacy statement in your office or business to help raise awareness. -- Register your agency to provide resources and information at the Children’s Festival. -- Support the countywide advocacy initiatives with your leadership and/or financial support. -- Volunteer to do this presentation at service groups, church groups, youth groups... Or organize opportunities for a Children’s Council -- Forward promotional emails to

10. PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS. KEEP KIDS SAFE. If you suspect abuse, call Child Protective Services at 800-386-4090.