We all have a role to play.
Raising children is a parent’s most important responsibility, and it is often the most difficult, especially when combined with other stressful situations or challenging life events. Families in our community have been greatly impacted in recent years, enduring multiple wildfires and a global pandemic.
In the wake of the pandemic, families continue to struggle as they face soaring inflation, lack of childcare, a youth mental health crisis, and housing shortages. The extreme stress that parents are facing puts their children at greater risk of abuse and neglect. In fact, there were 121 substantiated victims of child abuse and neglect in Napa County last year, but because child abuse is greatly underreported, this number is likely closer to 350.
The good news is that everyone has a role to play in strengthening families and protecting children. The Child Abuse Council of Napa County (CAPC) launched the Mi Familia, Mi Comunidad awareness campaign to inspire Napa County residents to build a resilient, safe, and supportive community for kids and families.
“Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), especially multiple traumas, can cause toxic stress, which leads to long-lasting wear and tear on the developing body and brain,” explained Michele Grupe, Executive Director of Cope Family Center, the lead agency for CAPC. “Suffering abuse and neglect, living in a home with mental health or substance abuse issues, or being homeless are childhood experiences that have an immediate impact but can also affect long-term mental and physical health. Community trauma, such as poverty, discrimination, and natural disasters, can also impact kids long-term. People who have experienced ACEs are at greater risk for health problems, including mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, suicide, substance abuse, cancer, and heart disease.”
Mi Familia, Mi Comunidad is raising awareness about how everyone in the community has an active role in strengthening families and protecting children. “ACEs and their impact are reduced when children are connected, families are supported, and community members take positive action,” said Grupe. “We can all bolster the protective factors that support the healthy development of children and families.” These protective factors include parental resilience, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of child development, social and emotional competence of children, nurturing and attachment, and social connections.
“With greater awareness of child abuse and neglect and the knowledge of how to protect children, we can create a community that supports families facing adversity so parents and caregivers can better meet their children’s needs and create brighter futures for their families.”
