Prevent Child Abuse America is excited to introduce Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania, a statewide organization focusing solely on primary prevention — stopping child abuse before it ever happens. PCA PA is one of 47 chapters of PCAA, a national organization created in 1972 to draw attention to and prevent the abuse of our nation’s children.
Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania is under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics and is the only state chapter of PCAA that is directly affiliated with a chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The primary focus of the organization is to raise public awareness of the importance of prevention and to get communities involved in supporting positive family interactions, and when necessary, reporting suspected child abuse and neglect (anyone can report suspected abuse by calling ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313). With more than 1 million confirmed cases of child abuse each year in our country (4,201 in Pennsylvania in 2008), the establishment of a PCA chapter in Pennsylvania is welcomed by all who want a better life for our children.
In a 2007 Economic Impact Study, it was estimated that the annual cost of child abuse and neglect in the U.S. is $104 billion. In addition to this staggering number is the number of abused and neglected children who grow up to have significantly increased risk of physical, emotional and mental health problems, drug and alcohol addiction, criminal activity and a variety of social difficulties.
PCA PA will launch a public awareness campaign in April for Child Abuse Prevention Month, beginning with a kick-off event on April 1. The campaign will seek to reframe the way society looks at child abuse and neglect through community events and attention to public policies that favor prevention first. In preparation for the campaign, PCA PA has introduced the Pinwheels for Prevention program, the national platform of PCAA, to raise awareness of our community commitment to work together to prevent child maltreatment and the clear message that prevention is possible. The pinwheel, a symbol of the carefree days of childhood, represents the vision PCA PA has for every child in Pennsylvania.
Future goals of PCA PA include the distribution of child abuse prevention information, collaborating with “Prevention Partners” such as children’s hospitals, pediatric practices, Children and Youth agencies and community service organizations, working to educate parents and teens on nonviolence, and promoting positive parenting practices.
To learn more and to find out how you can participate in the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, go to www.preventchildabusePA.org.
Dr. Pat Bruno,
Selinsgrove
Letters
Better life for children
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Skip talking points
I am writing in response to the letter submitted by Robert Leach from Winfield. In Mr. Leach's letter he states that this administration has spent more than all other presidents put together since the beginning of this country.
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Passing buck
Why is the mayor so set on making landlords responsible for their tenants? Why should it be a landlord's responsibility to counsel his tenants if they are charged with a crime. First he wants to put signs in drug dealers yards so people are aware of their presence, and now he wants landlords to monitor their tenants' criminal behavior.
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Keeping us safe
I was reading the Local section in The Daily Item on Dec. 20 when an article caught my eye about a high-speed pursuit. However, what really startled me was it actually happened. It started in Freeburg, went through Mount Pleasant Mills, and ended in Richfield.
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Missing the mark
The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, a state required standardized test for students and schools to identify their "level." While in theory this may seem like a good idea, I do not believe standardized assessment is helping the educational process on the level of the schools and especially on the level of the students. It may even be hindering it.
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Laziness rampant
As time goes by, I become more and more amazed, and angered, at the laziness of some people. It seems that some of this generation has become very uncaring and lazy. In the small town where I grew up, I see the decline of not only physical structures, but the decline of society. I walk by homes once owned by proud older citizens, that have become messy, disheveled rental properties.
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Failed policies
I have in recent months seen many liberal democrates aspouse their views about how Republicans are trying to kill the middle class.This is a typical response from people that truly want to do away with the middle class. Their argument is intended to create a class warfare issue and then hope everone will buy their point of view.
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Sickened by abuse
As a mother and grandmother, I read with great empathy the article on the little 2-year old boy who was abused and whose leg was broken by adults entrusted with his care. It sickens me to think what this poor child has gone through since the day he was born that we don't know about. How anyone, family member, parent, neighbor, roommates or anyone could live with themselves or go to sleep at night knowing any child was being subjected to such horrific treatment by people he is supposed to feel safe and loved with is beyond me.
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Shared responsibility
As I have listened to the many speeches by those who aspire to become the next president of the United State of America, I am appalled at the number of times I have heard referenced to our "rights". And how seldom I've heard talk about responsibilities. Oh, I guess I've heard a little about responsibility, but it's invariably about the responsibility of the poor to work harder, never about the responsibility of all of us to care for and help those who have less in the way of material possessions.
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Safe passing
I was pleased to see the attention that the bike safe passing bill has been getting along with the letter to the editor from Mr. Southerland in the Jan. 27 edition of The Daily Item. I did want to comment on a few points in his letter and clarify some things about the bill now waiting for the governor's signature.
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Reason to be proud
Recently, Shikellamy High School has been plagued with problems and dissent in many areas from the board and the administration to the fine wrestling program, which has been sad to see. I am pleased to say that I believe the music program at SHS to be a viable and strong asset that deserves some mention.
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Skip talking points
