Trees for Life Ceremony

Trees for Life

Child advocates in the greater New Orleans area gathered to commemorate the 42 children who died from abuse and neglect in Louisiana during 2012. The event was hosted at the New Orleans Children's Advocacy Center on April 22nd, 2013.

At the ceremony child advocates were honored with a tree representing a child who died from abuse or neglect. When the honoree was awarded their tree, the child's age and the reason for their death was read to the audience. The honoree was asked to plant their tree and to hang a blue ribbon on it every April in tribute to the child who died. The blue ribbon represents Child Abuse Prevention.

To learn more about the event, follow this link:
http://theadvocate.com/news/neworleans/neworleansnews/5780070-123/trees-for-life

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

From left to right: Wayne Zimmerman (Board President), Melanie Hebert (Board member and Emcee), Terrance Osborne (local artist), Erika Dupépé (Executive Director), Dennis Woltering (Emcee)

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center's 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala was a huge success!  We had a great turn-out and raised over $40,000 for the JCAC.  The funds raised will support our mission of investigating, treating, and preventing child victimization in Jefferson Parish.  

The activities of the evening were led by our energetic emcees, Melanie Hebert and Dennis Woltering, both news anchors from WWL-TV.  The Yat Pack kept the night rolling with live entertainment featuring covers of Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble, Billy Joel and much more. 

Local news anchors were asked to decorate step-stools to be sold at our live and silent auctions. The decorated step-stools went hand-in-hand with the Gala's "Step Up for Children" theme.  Many anchors asked local artists to decorate the stools on their behalf.  Simon Hardeveld painted a stool for Susan Roesgen (WGNO) in-line with his signature style, and John Carambat crafted a stool into a steam-punk themed pig on behalf of Angela Hill (WWL).  Chet Pourciau constructed a unique piece on behalf of Shelley Brown decked out with crawfish and corncobs that embodied the Greater New Orleans spirit (WVUE). Terrance Osborne painted a step-stool for Sally-Ann Roberts (WWL) to reflect Sally-Ann's favorite Bible verse, Psalms 1:3:

"That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers."

Sally-Ann Roberts with Terrance Osborne. Terrance Osborne painted the stool on behalf of Sally-Ann and it was sold at the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala's live auction for $8,000.

Over 25 items were put to bid at our silent auction, which included signed sports memorabilia from the Saints, Hornets, and LSU Tigers; gift baskets stocked with certificates to local sites and restaurants; as well as beautiful art and jewelry. 

Thanks to everyone who made the 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala a success!  We hope you all join us next year!

Protective Factors for Preventing Child Abuse

Protective Factors

Why does child abuse happen? There is not a clear answer, but professionals have agreed that when families have certain characteristics--referred to as protective factors-- child abuse is less likely to occur.

1) Nurturing and Attachment - Parents and children need to form a strong, caring bond to ensure that children achieve positive development.
2) Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development - Parents who understand child development are more likely to provide an environment that is safe and where children can achieve their potential.
3) Parental Resilience - When parents are able to effectively bounce back from occasional crisis and everyday stressors, they will likely refrain from directing stress at their children.
4) Social Connections - Parents can utilize positive relationships with other adults to gain support and learn additional parenting tactics.
5) Concrete Supports for Parents - Basic needs--food, shelter, transportation, healthcare-- must be in place for a parent to support the well-being of their children and themselves.
6) Social and Emotional Competence of Children - When children can effectively communicate their needs, parents are better able to fulfill these needs.

For more in-depth information concerning protective factors, visit Child Information Gateway:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/factors.cfm

Presidential Proclamation on Child Abuse Prevention Month

President Proclaims April 2013 as 

National Child Abuse Prevention Month

"National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to make their struggle our own and reaffirm a simple truth: that no matter the challenges we face, caring for our children must always be our first task." --President Barack Obama

In his weekly address President Barack Obama proclaimed April 2013 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The President acknowledges the importance of Child Abuse Prevention as an initiative needing action by families, communities, states, and the nation. To read his full proclamation, follow the link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2013/03/29/presidential-proclamation-national-child-abuse-prevention-month-2013

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center is promoting Child Abuse Prevention Month in full-swing this April!

Gretna Police Department Participates in Darkness to Light

Gretna Police Department is the First Police Partner in Prevention in the Nation!

We are thrilled to announce that the Gretna Police Department is a Darkness to Light (D2L) Police Partner in Prevention!  Ninety-eight percent of the Gretna Police Department completed the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children training facilitated by the JCAC.  Gretna PD is the first Police Partner in Prevention in the nation!

Adequate prevention and response to child sexual abuse is the responsibility of adults—this is the core of the Darkness to Light Stewards of Children program. D2L is a non-profit that pursues the mission of reducing child sexual abuse through education and awareness.  The training is the only evidence-based program that “increase(s) knowledge, improve(s) attitudes and change(s) child-protective behavior” of those who participate.  To learn more about the work of Darkness to Light, please visit their website: http://www.d2l.org/

JCAC strongly encourages you and your organization to attend our next Stewards of Children training on June 14 from 1-4pm at the Coroner’s Office Auditorium in Harvey. The JCAC can also schedule a training prior to this date for a group of 10 or more. To register or request a training, or to learn more about us, please call the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center at (504) 364-3857 or visit us online at www.jeffersoncac.com.

For every individual adult who attends this training, up to 10 children can be protected from sexual abuse.  Help us raise awareness and take responsibility for preventing child sexual abuse in our community together…call us today!

Child Abuse Prevention Month

Pinwheels for Prevention

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center (JCAC) is busy preparing for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. To confront the epidemic of child abuse, the JCAC will be distributing pinwheels in collaboration with Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) America.

"Pinwheels for Prevention" is PCA America's campaign, which began in 2008, to promote prevention through community action and targeted policy changes. Since the campaign’s inception, over 2.3 million pinwheels have been distributed. Pinwheels were chosen to represent this effort because they are a "positive and loving symbol of childhood." The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign highlights the need for children to be raised in safe, healthy environments, which will to lead to advancements for our whole society.

Child abuse and neglect prevention is important for several reasons. First of all, we are morally obligated to ensure that every child is raised in a safe environment free from abuse and neglect. Furthermore, remaining dormant while this epidemic persists will continue to be detrimental to our economy. According to results of research conducted by Prevent Child Abuse America, effective child abuse and neglect prevention strategies can save taxpayers $80 billion a year. Conversely, not implementing prevention measures leads to increases in spending on "foster care services, hospitalization, mental health treatment, and law enforcement, as well as loss of individual productivity and expenditures related to chronic health problems, special education, and the justice system."

To plant pinwheels at your home, work-site, religious institution, community organization, or other place of interest, please contact the Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center at 504-364-3857. Let’s work together to prevent child abuse in Jefferson Parish!

2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala

The Jefferson Children's Advocacy Center proudly presents its 2nd Annual Step Up for Children Gala! Join us for a fun-filled evening complete with drinks, food, entertainment and a silent auction.

Emcees will be Dennis Woltering and Melanie Hebert. Musical guests the "Yat Pack" will be returning! For a sneak peak, check out their website: www.theyatpack.com

Where: Treasure Chest Casino, 5050 Williams Blvd., Kenner
When: April 20, 2013
           7:00pm-8:00pm Patron Party
           8:00pm-11:00pm Gala

To purchase tickets, please call 504-365-3857.
Regular admission: $65
Patron ticket: $100

For Corporate Sponsorship information, please contact Erika Dupépé at jeffersoncac@att.net.