MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Kaneohe Bay -- Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to highlight the responsibility we all have to support parents and families - especially children. During April, and throughout the year, the Marine & Family Services division of Marine Corps Community Services Hawaii is focusing on prevention efforts that can create healthier environments for children and foster confident and positive parenting.
The goal of child abuse prevention is simple: to stop child abuse and prevent it from happening in the first place, sparing children and families from emotional and physical trauma and decreasing the need for costly intervention and treatment services.
The best way to prevent child abuse and neglect is thus to support parents and families and provide them with the skills and resources they need.
Prevention efforts build on family strengths. Parent education, home visitation and parent support groups offer families the support and tools they need to stay together and care for their children.
For example, the New Parent Support Program offers a weekly "Parenting Proudly" class that helps parents develop their parenting skills and understand the benefits of nonviolent discipline techniques to meet their child's emotional, physical and developmental needs.
Home visitors from the New Parent Support Program can also help parents identify other needs they may have and offer them assistance in getting that additional support.
If you'd like to get more information or enroll in the "Parenting Proudly" class, call the New Parent Support Program at (808) 257-8803.