Work together to protect children.
In the first three months of this year, the deaths of seven children in Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties were reported to the state Department of Children and Families. While these numbers are fewer compared with the same period last year, one death is too many. The hard truth is more children likely will die.
Last year in the tri-county area, 53 children lost their lives too soon. Of those 53, four died as a result of abuse. Child abuse and neglect need to stop. Caregivers need to take responsibility for the nurturing of our young kids in this state. To clarify, that is 53 deaths too many, no matter what the cause.
The leading causes of child fatalities in Florida are unsafe sleep, drowning and inflicted trauma. At the root of these preventable deaths is the considerable need for caregivers to have the responsibility to educate themselves to ensure their kids are free from abuse, neglect or any maltreatment.
Research shows that smart and nurturing relationships along with stimulating and stable environments improve brain development and child well being. In contrast, researchers have identified four commonly occurring parental factors that put kids at risk; substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence and child-conduct problems all lead to child maltreatment. That is to say, neglectful or abusive experiences and unstable or stressful environments increase the odds of childhood trauma. The abuse and neglect of children can cause severe, costly and lifelong problems affecting all of society, including physical and mental-health problems, trouble in school and criminal mischief.
Research shows that parents and caregivers who know how to seek help in times of trepidation are more resilient and better able to provide safe environments for their children. Although some may argue that parent education cannot succeed unless family problems are also addressed, much evidence suggests that first helping parents to be more effective with their children can address mentalhealth needs and improve the chances of substance-abuse recovery.
By working together, we can improve prevention and recovery efforts and change the paths of vulnerable children and families. Together we can identify at-risk children before they reach the child-welfare system and help provide the support and opportunities they need to grow up healthy and strong.
We need public support to effectively run programs that focus on parenting education and those aiming to reduce related risk factors. Certainly, we can do this in many ways, from supporting and mentoring a young, struggling mother to fostering or adopting a child who needs a home, to teaching adults how to exercise patience with young children.
If we all take steps like these, we can help grow the next generation of American leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators.
To echo the sentiments of our state Secretary Mike Carroll: Child Abuse Prevention Month (April) is a reminder that we all must be advocates for children. No one person or organization can do it alone. This past month reminds us who and what it takes to protect children — and that is all of us working together to protect the light in every child.