Sieda’s many programs are observing National Child Abuse Prevention Month through the month of April.

Sieda envisions communities of resilient citizens who are involved, self-reliant, and contribute positively to their families and communities. That means all of our programs strive to support families to make healthier households to prevent child abuse, maltreatment, and neglect. Although it is all of Sieda’s commitment our Family Support Services work daily to achieve the goal of eliminating child abuse. Programs such as Family Development and Self Sufficiency (FaDSS), Maternal Infant Early Childhood Home Visitation (MIECHV), and Parents as Teachers (PAT).

Many events are being held across our service region in support of raising child abuse awareness. Here are a few:

  • 2018 Healthy Kids Fair on April 7, 2018, 9 am to Noon at the Faith United Methodist Church- Hwy 5 South – Centerville. Free admission, lunch, giveaways, fun games, silent auction, and prizes for everyone that wears BLUE!! We will have Sieda Head Start, MIECHV, FaDSS, Behavioral Health & Treatment Substance Abuse Prevention, Seeds of Hope, and the Housing Stabilization Community Action Program Specialists. Healthy Kids Fair Info
  • 2018 Child Abuse Prevention and Family Support Conference in Des Moines, April 9th through April 11th. FaDSS Generalists Dianne Hendee, Jamie Anderson, Ona Miller-Robertson and Kirby Rowl along with MIECHV Worker Angie Mach, Robin Simmons, and Sue Wolver will all be attending. This conference will better educate Sieda’s Family Support in creating greater positive growth for children, families, and communities.
  • “The Week of the Young Child” April April 16th – April 20th, 2018 sponsored by Sieda Parents as Teachers. Oskaloosa Child’s Art Invite 2018. That week toddler and preschool student artwork is on display in the Oskaloosa Square and Penn Central Mall. We encourage families to do a Family ‘Art’ Walk‐A‐Thon to locate their child’s artwork. Oskaloosa Child’s Art Walk-A-Thon 2018 Locations
  • Wapello County, April 18th is having Wear Blue Day. At 1 pm in the Central Park show your support by wearing blue and hearing the mayor’s proclamation. Blue Day Wapello April 2018
  • OPIOIDS IN IOWA on April 19th from 6 – 7:30 pm at Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative in Bloomfield. No cost to attend. Snacks will be provided. Presented by the Davis County Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Community Partnerships for Protecting Children to learn about current opioid trends and legislation. Opioids in Iowa 2018
  • Color Out Child Abuse Family Fun Run/Walk on April 21st, at the Centerville Reservoir. Check-in begins at 8 am at the Upper Reservoir Shelter House Race begins at 9 am, register before. The Appanoose Family Alliance, Child Abuse Prevention Council works with several organizations in the county to ensure that ALL children have a safe and healthy childhood. Fun Run Walk 2018
  • Family Fair on Saturday, April 21st from 9:30 – 1 pm at Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant. Free family fair and entertainment. Southeast Iowa Early Childhood Summit event will help support parents and childcare providers in the important roles they play in the lives of our children. Be sure to look for Sieda’s Parents as Teachers (PAT) at the fair. Family Fair 2018
  • Davis County is having an annual Blue Out Day by wearing blue on Tuesday, April 24th in awareness of April being the Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Join all of Davis County in Blue Out Day! Let’s make Davis County a sea of blue to let the kids in Davis know that we believe in them! Blue Out Day 2018
  • First Wednesday of every month from 4:30 – 5:30 pm at Davis County Hospital all Davis County community members are welcome to join the Davis County Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse to stop child abuse in the county. Next meeting is May 2nd.
  • “Pint Size Picasso” celebration at Webster School on Friday, May 3rd, 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Join Sieda Parents as Teachers in celebrating Mahaska Counties  “Pint Size Picassos.” The young artist and their families can pick up their artwork and enjoy a light healthy snack. See you there!  Oskaloosa Child’s Art Invite 2018.

Child abuse can happen to any child throughout Iowa, no matter their family background.  Learn the Facts about child abuse in Iowa. Multiple risk factors among parents, such as stress, isolation, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma, and similar factors, are typically present in a household where a child is being abused or neglected. The trauma that occurs during childhood can strongly affect the children throughout their lifetime.

If you suspect the consistent mistreatment of a child, take action by calling the Iowa Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-362-2178 or the national hotline at 1.800.4.A.CHILD.