Together we have the power to prevent child abuse

  • Published
  • By David Powell
  • Family Advocacy
In this day and age of budget cuts and uncertain funding, there is one way we can assure a productive workforce to drive a healthy economy; by raising healthy children. Research has shown the negative impact on society of adults who were exposed to childhood abuse, like in the short term, the immediate use of social services and emergency rooms. Long term impacts can be seen in the excessive use of the healthcare system and lost productivity in the workplace. The costs are enormous, but the savings in prevention could be even greater.

April happens to be Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time set aside to applaud the gains made in raising awareness and preventing child abuse, but also to focus on the challenges that remain in eradicating abuse against our most vulnerable population. The month long awareness campaign promotes the role that everyone can help in keeping Misawa's children safe. It is our collective responsibility to prevent and confront all forms of child abuse, much in the way of that old saying that it takes a village. Children can also be viewed as the Air Force's most precious asset, since they are our nation's future.

Fortunately, here at Misawa Air Base, we already have the programs in place that have been shown to facilitate in raising healthy children. It starts with the New Parent Support Program (NPSP), staffed by a registered nurse. This program helps families from the time of pregnancy to the child turning age three, a time proven to be vital to long term development. The nurse provides in-home and office counseling, as well as classes taught by different facilitators providing their unique perspectives.

As children grow older and age out of NPSP, Family Advocacy is still there to offer nationally known parenting programs such as 123 Magic, Love & Logic and Systematic Training for Effective Parenting of Teens. No matter how old the child is, the best way to prepare for the future is by proactively creating a positive environment to raise the child in. Whether it is for you or a friend, we all have a part in creating the culture of this community. Through change leading to transformation, we, the members of the base community, may come and go, but our legacy will be left behind. We need to start making the lasting impact that can remain long after we are gone.

Family Advocacy is always looking at ways to better serve the needs of the community. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact FAP at 226-2123.

The prevention of child abuse matters because children matter.