Child Abuse Prevention Month

In April, we celebrate the most vulnerable members of Families: Children. Since the 1980s, April is recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The future prosperity of any community depends on its ability to foster the health and well-being of the next generation. A community that invests wisely in children and Families will certainly pay the next generation back through a lifetime of productivity and responsible citizenship. Unfortunately, not all children have equal opportunity for healthy growth and development (due to experiences of child abuse, neglect and maltreatment) and when these incidents occur, we put our future at risk. The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) at Fort Benning is dedicated to the prevention, education and intervention of child abuse/neglect and partner/spouse abuse. The FAP wants you to work with us to help make a difference to protect children, strengthen Families and prevent child abuse. Child abuse is defined as the physical or sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment or neglect of an unmarried person under 18 years old. If you believe or suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, call Muscogee County Child Protective Services at (855)422-4453, law enforcement, or FAP Clinical at (762)408-4076. In April, FAP encourages Soldiers and Families to wear a blue ribbon during the Blue Ribbon Campaign to join the fight against child abuse and neglect. Please pick up a blue ribbon at FAP Prevention located at 7131 Richardson Circle, Lewis Hall, Bldg. 36, 1st floor.

FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM PREVENTION The (FAP) Training Specialists provide continuous training to Soldiers, Command, Professionals, Family members and the community on available prevention services. The FAP training specialists may be reached at 706-545-4013/8740. The (FAP) Victim Advocates provide crisis intervention, information, and referral for Families facing stressful situations. Contact a Victim Advocate at 706-545-3202 or 706-626-2614 for your Family needs. The (FAP) New Parent Support Program (NPSP) provides home visits, professional advice, training and education to parents and expectant parents. The NPSP provides weekly infant and toddler playgroups. If you have a new baby on the way or a small toddler contact a home visitor at 706-545-6316/9857 for a home visit and free professional advice. The (FAP) First Steps Program provides emotional support, parent education and community resources to parents of newborns. For additional information, call 762- 408-5108. Please see benning.armymwr.com and the MWR Facebook page, Fort Benning MWR for the special events in April.