Posted: November 2, 2020 Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) makes prevention a priority for NC and our staff, and we pride ourselves on modeling a family-friendly work culture. As we continue to anticipate working virtually through most, if not all, of this fiscal year, we want to let our partners know our intention to practice flexibility with our team. It’s always hard to balance work, family and other life stressors, but during this pandemic, it takes that to a new level of stress. We acknowledge that this is low-grade, persistent trauma for many, and it is not buffered with the usual social connections that we all need. Our staff work with partner agencies at the state and local levels most often via Zoom video conferencing. Many on our team have children at home during the day because schools are still meeting remotely. We acknowledge that children will interrupt and require their parent’s attention from time to time during work hours, sometimes interrupting meetings with you. And that’s OK with us, and we hope it is with you. At PCANC, we celebrate seeing our colleagues’ children from time-to-time during our Zoom meetings – after all, every area of our work is focused on creating safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments for our children and we know that is more important than ever during these stressful times. These interruptions may mean that staff turn off their Zoom cameras and sound to address the needs of their children or pets. That’s okay, because we are adapting to having children in our homes while we work, as well as cats and dogs participating in our Zoom calls. Please be flexible with our team. If it is problematic, please let our team members know and we can work out alternative arrangements and reschedule to make sure that meetings are uninterrupted. These are hard times to be a parent, an employee, and a citizen. It’s more important than ever to be focused on building strong families for our children because what happens in childhood lasts a lifetime. Thank you for your partnership in making prevention a priority and helping us to build a family-friendly culture for all NC families. Sharon…

Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC) presents a week-long, virtual “5 Factors 5K Walk & Run” from October 24 through October 31, 2020. Proceeds from the event will help PCANC invest in innovative programs proven to prevent child maltreatment before it occurs. The race showcases the five Protective Factors — Parental Resilience, Social and Emotional Competence of Children, Parental Knowledge of Child Development and Parenting Skills, Concrete Support for Parents, and Social Connections — which, when present in families and communities increase the health and well-being of children. Now more than ever, families need to be motivated, engaged, supported, and connected to their communities. “Especially now, positive connections, health and wellness, and the presence of the Protective Factors in homes and communities are critical to keeping families strong, said Sharon Hirsch, PCANC President & CEO. “When we provide positive experiences, help families feel more connected and supported, we strengthen our communities.” Due to COVID-19, PCANC expanded their annual, single-day 5 Factors 5K Walk & Run to an entire week of virtual experiences and opportunities designed to inspire, educate, and entertain all ages. Registered participants get to choose when and where they complete their 5k and will have access to more than 25 virtual activities with local businesses and organizations, including: Barre3 Chapel Hill Blue Bell Creameries Bull City Running Co. Chapel Thrill Escapes Dorothea Dix Park DTE Biomass Energy Face Painting Party Girls Fusion Pilates Asheville Growga KidFin LittleDoodles Play Café Sockin’ It Fitness The Inspired Treehouse UNC Program for Public Discourse Wilmington Yoga The following North Carolinians are also supporting the event by way of sharing their passion, expertise, and time during race week’s virtual experiences, including: Audrey Kemp Curry, DDS, MPH Bikers Against Child Abuse of NC Beth Palmer, NC contemporary artist Cynthia Moore Brown, NC storyteller DJ Gabi Besangie Sellars Hope Draeglin, HIIT instructor Jes Averhart, Creator of Reinvention RoadmapTM Kathy Smith, Turbokick instructor Kristin McCarthy, Chef Lissy Shortall, HIIT instructor Mandy Cohen, Secretary NC DHHS Register at http://www.5factors5k.com. Registration prices start at $35 for individuals and $85 for a family of four. This event was made possible with support from our sponsors: CT Wilson Construction, DTE, and Variety Wholesalers. In addition, ABC11 sponsored the race registrations for 37 families across NC who participate in local parenting education and family strengthening programs. PCANC’s work is supported, in part, by NC Department of Health and Human Services. For more information about the event, how to get involved, or for sponsorship opportunities, please call PCANC at 919-829-8009 or email…

By: Prevent Child Abuse NC Staff Published: June 1, 2020 At Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC), we are deeply distressed by the recent murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and for every life that was taken before them due to racism and white supremacy. They were members of families, connected to communities, and were deeply loved. We extend our condolences to their families. We say their names. We honor their lives. Black Lives Matter. As racial inequities and injustices continue in our nation, we want to let you know that we hear you, we see you, and we stand with you. Racism is an Adverse Childhood Experience that causes toxic stress and trauma, and that is why PCANC is actively building our knowledge, skills, and resources to increase equitable outcomes for all children and families. We are committed to being anti-racist, to using an equity lens in our policy work and to being intentional about addressing and eliminating racial inequities. This struggle is our struggle and we are deeply committed to working with you to build a North Carolina where all children, youth, and families can thrive in safe, stable and nurturing…

This April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Prevent Child Abuse NC reinforces the role that each person plays in ensuring that children, families and entire communities thrive by participating in the month-long nationwide campaign: “Everyone Can Make Great Childhoods Happen—Especially You, Especially Now!” “April is a time to help people across North Carolina understand that safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments are necessary to ensure healthy child development,” explained Prevent Child Abuse NC President & CEO Sharon Hirsch. “We must work in partnership across all sectors to make prevention a priority so children can thrive.” Equally important is recognizing that the time to act is now. COVID-19 has made life difficult for everyone—especially children and families. Although the risk to our children’s physical health from the outbreak itself appears to be low, the risk to our nation’s children for experiencing child abuse and neglect in times of extreme stress and uncertainty is actually quite high. School and workplace closings can increase stress in parents’ lives, resulting from loss of income due to lack of paid leave; an unexpected or irregular need for childcare; and even food insecurity, when school meal programs and other valuable resources become unavailable. Additionally, an unintended consequence of social distancing is isolation, which contradicts science proving that social and emotional connectedness and support are protective of mental health and positive discipline strategies. We recommend the following ways to help raise awareness and impact positive change virtually during this year’s CAP Month: Show support for children and families by wearing blue on April 3, Wear Blue Day, posting a picture or video of yourself on your favorite social media channel(s) and including the #WearBlueDay2020 & #BeAConnection hashtags. Let your representatives know you support family-friendly policies, such as paid sick and family leave, that help reduce stress on parents and caregivers by participating in the 2020 Child Abuse Prevention Month Digital Advocacy Day, on Tuesday, April 28. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and share our posts widely—and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Use the hashtags #GreatChildhoods and #CAPMonth to let us know you’re committed to helping children, families, and entire communities to thrive. Click here for more ways to get involved in Child Abuse Prevention…