PARENTING TIPS
Soothing a crying infant
Surviving toilet training
Time out
Understanding your child's behavior
Dealing with temper tantrums
Being a nurturing parent
The power of choice
Grandparents raising grandchildren
Setting rules & consequences
Winning the chore war
Sibling rivalry
Recognizing child abuse and neglect
Reporting child abuse and neglect
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Mariposa Safe Families promotes safe and healthy families in order to prevent child abuse in Mariposa County by guiding effective prevention efforts and strategies and advocating for a coordinated community response.
Partnerships Create Family Enrichment Center
Mariposa Safe Families (MSF) is pleased to announce the opening of their Family Enrichment Center, the product of years of community planning and partnership development. The Center provides opportunities for family enrichment and support in a friendly place that affords drop-in availability. The Family Enrichment Center (FEC) would not be possible without the collaborative efforts of partner agencies. Mariposa County Unified School District demonstrated its dedication to supporting families by sharing a vision for the Center. The FEC is conveniently located on MCUSD property adjacent to Mariposa County High School, Sierra Home School (new location), Mariposa Elementary School and Head Start.
The Mariposa County Human Services Department contracts with MSF for Child Abuse and Substance Abuse Prevention supporting the family strengthening services MSF provides. Mountain Crisis Services has partnered with MSF in the development of family support services in Mariposa and in North Mariposa County. A grant from First 5 Mariposa County supports child development and parent education services in North Mariposa County. Other partners that have joined MSF in providing family support activities include Community Action, Local Child Care Planning Council, Mariposa County Health Department, UC Extension Nutrition Education, Early Start Family Resource Center, Infant Child Enrichment Services and Job Connection. Watch for announcements of a Grand Opening celebration in February.
Community Link has a new look
Although it looks a little different, Community Link still connects people to services and opportunities throughout Mariposa County. It is available in multiple forms: website, call-in and walk-in.
- www.mariposalink.org · 24 hours a day 7 days a week
- 209-742-LINK (5465) or toll free 877-256-LINK · Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- 4971 8th Street, Mariposa · Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
It Only Takes a Minute ...to make a difference in the life of a child...Read more
Keeping Your Children Safe on the Internet...Read more
Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Project for Mariposa County...Read more
Definition of Child Abuse
Child abuse includes physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment and exposure to violence and the abuse of others.The numbers
Each day in the United States, more than 3 children die as a result of child abuse in the home and most of the children who die are younger than 5 years of age.More children (age four and younger) die from child abuse and neglect than any other single, leading cause of death for infants and young children.
In the year 2001, an average of 2,475 children were found to be victims of child abuse each day. And this abuse and neglect is associated with short- and long-term consequences that affect not only the child and family, but society as a whole.
Prevent Child Abuse America has estimated the costs of child abuse and neglect based on data from a variety of sources, at $24,384,347,302 for hospitalization, chronic health problems, mental health care, child welfare services, law enforcement and judicial system.
Substantiated Counts of child abuse in Mariposa County over a five year average = 20.88 per 1000 per year. Close to every other week there is a substantiated case of child abuse in Mariposa. To put Mariposa's statistics in relation to the state: Mariposa has 20.88 cases per 1000 of children 0-17 per year, for years 1998 to 2002, as compared to California's 12.1 per 1000.
What you can do
Report child abuse or neglect if you suspect it by calling Mariposa County Department of Human Services-Family Services at (209) 966-3030 during regular business hours or the Mariposa County Sheriff's office at 966-3615 evenings, weekends and holidays.Educate yourself and others by reading brochures and pamphlets from Mariposa Safe Families, First 5, Child Welfare Services, and other agencies. Check out the Library and the Web under the topic.
Strengthen your community by supporting local activities, service clubs and organizations and by connecting with others. Activities that strengthen communities contribute to the wellbeing of children.
Participate in Mariposa Safe Families as a Community Partner, Committee Member or Board Member.
Donate to Mariposa Safe Families and other organizations that support children.
Purchase a California Kids Plate at the DMV or visit www.kidsplates.org. Your vehicle license plate will show that you ♥ kids while promoting their safety and preventing child abuse.