April serves as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, spotlighting the crucial role community members play in safeguarding and fortifying families. Frontier Health commits to mobilizing individuals and organizations alike to foster a nurturing environment for children and families. By equipping families and individuals with essential resources, insights, and skills for child care, the organization aims to curb child abuse and neglect through fostering robust connections among families and their children across communities.
Studies underscore that the presence of protective factors significantly lowers the risk of child abuse and neglect in healthy family environments. Promoting these factors ranks as a highly effective strategy in the fight against child abuse and neglect. Key protective factors include:
- Nurturing and attachment
- Knowledge of parenting and child/youth development
- Parental resilience
- Social connections
- Concrete support for parents in times of need
- Children’s social and emotional competence
“Child abuse offends the very values we hold scarlet as a society. We have a responsibility to provide our children with a safe and loving environment. To give a child a chance at a bright and hopeful future is our highest moral obligation.” – Tim Perry, Sr. Vice President, Children Services
Frontier Health advocates for a community-wide approach to child well-being, emphasizing the importance of collective action in creating a safe and supportive environment for all children.
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, we are proud to announce a comprehensive suite of services aimed at supporting children and families affected by trauma. Our offerings include trauma-trained interventions tailored for children of all ages at our Children and Youth sites, alongside school-based services available in every school district within our region. Furthermore, therapy services are accessible at the Children’s Advocacy Centers in the First and Third Judicial Districts. Families can find support at Turning Point in Johnson City through our Children’s Crisis Walk-in Center. Additionally, we provide the Regional Intervention Program (RIP) in Kingsport and Johnson City. This unique, parent-led parenting initiative is designed for caregivers of children ages 2 to 6 experiencing behavioral challenges, offered at no cost to participants. Our commitment is to empower families with the tools and support necessary to foster a safe and nurturing environment for every child.