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We all know a “Precious” in our life…

All of us at Kempe are excited to partake in opening night of the Starz Denver Film Festival, for a blue carpet gala screening of the highly anticipated, award winning feature film, “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” Stoking predictions that the harrowing, Oprah Winfrey-backed tale is Oscar-bound, “Precious” swept the top awards at Sundance and Toronto International Film Festivals. Sundance Winner "Precious" Takes Toronto Too

The film offers a look into a world of which no one wants part, the harsh and realistic plot that depicts the lives of abused children and teens across America. Referred to as a ‘wonderous work of art’ by New York Times film critics (NY Times "Precious" Review), the plot of “Precious” is simple: an abused teenager’s struggle to establish her own identity, against overwhelming resistance.

You’re probably reading this blog saying, “Am I in the mood for this? Why would I want to go see a movie that is so grave and unsettling?” No one will blame you for that. The obese illiterate 16-year old African American character, Precious, is pregnant with her second child by her own father.

That alone will be a deal breaker for many. But those who see the film will recognize the power and strength within the human spirit, that against all odds the light of hope can yield a path to a better reality through countless dead ends.

Every year, nearly one million children are abused or neglected in the U.S., over 9,000 children in Colorado alone. “Precious” serves as a stinging reminder of the stark reality faced by so many helpless children and teens across the country. Unless people like you and me intervene and speak up for them, where will they end up?

Check out the trailer: YouTube: "Precious"

Learn how you can help: The Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

Bikers United for Abused Children

We ran across this interesting article in the Colorado Gazette about a group of bikers in Colorado Springs who are helping to improve the lives of abused children. It goes to show you that the movement to end child abuse reaches all types of people. Please read below.

Watch out, any of you who would hurt a child. There's a new brotherhood of bikers in town.

Their mission: empower children to help the bad guys get their due and protect the kids from further harm. A local chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse is forming and will become fully chartered April 11, during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, said Todd "Bones" Trimble, one of the organizers.

"This is an organized way to fight child abuse," Trimble said. "It's time to take the streets back and make the world safer for our kids."

The national organization was founded in 1995 in Utah by a licensed child therapist, with the goal of creating a safer environment for abused children. There are now 33 chapters, including one in Fremont County, the only other chapter in Colorado.
Members work with law enforcement, child protective services and other local agencies to identify abused children who would benefit from the security of having a biker group on their side. After going through a required training program and background checks, the bikers befriend the children, visiting their homes on their motorcycles, adopting the kids as honorary members of the group and accompanying them to court hearings.

If necessary, the group provides 24/7 watch over the children at their homes and schools. They also raise money to help pay for therapy sessions and care packages. The presence of bikers, decked out in black leather jackets and serious about their task, sends a clear message to child abusers, said Ron "Maverick" Clark, another member of the fledgling chapter.

"There needs to be an intimidation factor," said Clark, a commercial real estate broker who also volunteers with the children's ministry at New Life Church "We're not a motorcycle club. We have the biker mentality of brotherhood and are dedicated to the cause of helping children."

The bikers don't push children to accept their services, said Trimble, a mechanic. In fact, children don't seem afraid but rather welcome their company, he said.
"We earn their trust, and trust becomes power for the children so they can talk about what happened to them and get abusers prosecuted and off the streets," Trimble said.

Local BACA members, numbering 13 so far, come from all walks of life, but all stand on equal ground when it comes to shielding children from neglect and abuse.
"You don't join this organization to run around with a bunch of guys on bikes, but because you have a real heart for kids," Clark said.

Lino "Puna" Calica, an information technology specialist, said he hooked up with the group because he was abused as a child in school and had to "fight for his life."
"I wanted to be a part of this so no other child needs to go through something like what I did," he said. "No child should live in fear."

About 1,200 children affected by abuse and neglect enter the court system each year in El Paso County, in addition to numerous ongoing cases, said Trudy Strewler, executive director of Court-Appointed Special Advocates of the Pikes Peak Region, which advocates for children in court.

"To have bikers care about the issue of child abuse and neglect is fabulous," she said.

DETAILS
• For information on the local chapter, call Todd "Bones" Trimble at 287-1065.
• To request BACA assistance, call the toll-free hot line at 800-230-4852.

Source: The Colorado Gazette 3/2009

Why You Crying?

Babies cry. It is estimated that babies cry on average of two to three hours a day. With some babies who are diagnosed with reflux (or commonly known as colic) it is estimated that they cry three to four hours everyday for no apparent reason. Coping with long crying sessions can be difficult, but it is always important to keep your cool and keep your child safe.

How to Calm a Crying Baby

CARRYING: Studies indicate that babies who are carried by a parent in his or her arms or in a carrier for at least three hours during the day cry less than infants who aren't carried as much. The warmth and close physical proximity during carrying is calming to your baby and enables you to respond quickly to his cries.

RHYTHMIC MOTION: Many babies stop crying when in motion. Rocking chairs, infant swings, carriage rides, car rides and dancing chest-to-cheek across the floor are all comforting motions. Some experts believe that these repetitive, rhythmic movements satisfy a baby's need for predictability. Being able to rely on what comes next--that a chair will rock forward after it rocks backward--seems to help a baby feel more secure and safe.

SWADDLING: In the womb, babies grow accustomed to the constant feeling of snugness and something enclosing them, a sensation they lose at birth when they're thrust into the wide-open air. Swaddling--being wrapped very tightly in a lightweight blanket--can restore this safe feeling, and it also prevents arms and legs from flailing about, which can be startling and upsetting to newborns.

SOOTHING SOUND: Babies are comforted by rhythmic, repetitive sounds that remind them of things they heard in the womb: sounds of the ocean or a waterfall, the hum of a laundry washer or dryer, the sound of a heartbeat or the hum of a vacuum cleaner. Babies also like slow, lilting music and the soft sound of a parent's voice crooning a lullaby.

COMFORT SUCKING: Babies have a strong sucking urge that is not related to their desire for food. Their crying is often controlled by sucking on their fingers, fist or a pacifier.

MASSAGE: Touch is one of a baby's most highly developed senses at birth. Stroking your infant's skin can calm the baby and help her sleep better. A good habit is to massage your baby from head to toe for 15 minutes once daily before bed or at bath time. Simply pour a little baby oil into the palms of your hands, rub them together; then using your fingertips, draw circles in a rhythmic motion over your baby's body. Don't forget his hands, feet, face and head. Next, hold an arm or leg, and gripping softly with your open hand, gently move it back and forth using long, slow strokes.

CUDDLIES: Many babies love nestling with something soft like Mom's nightgown, a soft blanket or a plush toy. Typically, they don't begin to grow attached to an object like this and actively seek it out until around eight months. Prior to this age, keep a soft object next your baby when you cuddle with her, so she'll associate the object with your loving touch.

ROUTINES: A repetitive, predictable pattern of care may be more comforting to your baby than any single soothing technique. As soon as you bring your baby home, establish a few simple routines, like bathing at the same time each day or hearing the same lullaby before bedtime each night. Being able to count on some things day in and day out is consoling to an infant who is exposed to so many new things the first year.

RELIEF HELP: Constant crying is bound to make you feel tense and upset. These negative feelings are likely to be picked up by your baby who will cry all the more. You may be surprised when your spouse, a friend or a grandmother cradles your "inconsolable" baby and magically calms the screams. After a break you'll feel calmer, more refreshed and better able to respond to your baby.

CRY IT OUT: Babies sometimes need to cry out inner feelings of fatigue or tension at sleep time. This can be a self-soothing activity for the infant. So, if external soothing techniques prove ineffective or overly stimulating, consider whether your baby just needs to cry for a brief spell by herself to release tension and settle down.

Types of Cries

HUNGER
Hunger is the most common cause of crying. Babies say "I'm hungry" with a low-pitched, rhythmic cry that repeats a pattern of short cry, brief pause, short cry and pause. The sound is less shrill than other cries, and sounds demanding rather than desperate. This cry is often preceded by finger sucking, lip smacking or nudging.

TIREDNESS
The fatigue cry is a wailing sound with a definite vibrato. This cry gradually builds up in intensity and often has a continuous and nasal quality.

BOREDOM
Babies say "I'm lonely and bored" with a cry that is whiny and whimpering; sometimes it almost sounds like a moan. This cry stops abruptly when the infant is picked up.

PAIN
This cry begins suddenly and is high-pitched and shrill. The cry is loud and long (as long as four seconds), which leaves the infant breathless. This cry is followed by a dramatic, lengthy pause (as long as seven seconds) as the baby catches her breath again. The baby's arms and legs may flail and then jerk tensely back into the body. This cry is nonstop and uncontrollable.

ILLNESS
Sick babies signal their discomfort with a prolonged cry. The cry sounds weak, whiny and nasal. It is generally lower in pitch than a pain cry. The cry can more readily be identified as a signal of illness when it is considered together with changes in the baby's appearance and behavior. The baby may have a flushed face, appear listless, refuse to eat, have diarrhea and avoid cuddling.

COLIC
Colic crying is readily identifiable because it generally occurs like clockwork every afternoon or evening, lasts for several hours each time, and the baby is not readily consolable.

IRRITABILITY
Irritable babies cry on and off all day long and often wake crying during the night, as well. Soothing techniques work better with these babies than with colicky infants.


Remember…
All babies cry and it is the parents responsibility to soothe their child to the best of their ability. Please remember that it is never ok to shake a baby. Abusively shaking a baby can cause blindness, hearing loss, seizures, developmental delays, speech difficulties, mental retardation, and even death. If you find yourself getting stressed by your baby’s crying, immediately put the baby down and take a break to calm yourself. Also, it is always ok to call and ask for help to calm your baby.

For more information, please visit www.calmacryingbaby.com

Training Academy Bill Passes in Colorado

On May 19, 2009, Governor Bill Ritter signed Senate Bill 164 which creates a training academy for child welfare caseworkers. The bill, sponsored by Senator Linda Newell and Representative Joe Miklosi, also requires all caseworkers to complete the training academy prior to obtaining a full child protection case load. SB 164 was to protect children and families and to ensure that all caseworkers are adequately trained.

The Colorado Welfare Training Academy will train caseworkers and their supervisors with the skills to better serve Colorado’s abused and neglected children. The academy will be run by the Colorado Department of Human Services. The academy and state legislation will standardize and mandate training across the state and recruit new child protection caseworkers. With the implementation of the academy, Colorado is among 20 other states with pre-service training academies. Studies have shown that states with training academies have seen dramatic improvements in their child welfare systems.

“In a tough economic time like this, we should all be extremely proud of this legislation and the new Training Academy,” Gov. Ritter said. “This will save lives. The academy will give child-welfare caseworkers the tools they need to protect kids and keep them safe.”

“The training academy created by Senate Bill 164 is the result of the hard work of the Governor’s Child Welfare Action Committee,” said Karen Beye, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Human Services. “The committee’s goal is to make sure all children in the public welfare system have access to quality services and to professionals with the knowledge, skills and abilities to make decisions that will help keep them safe and secure.”

Quick facts about the Colorado Training Academy

The cost of the academy per year is $700,000

The funds to support the training academy will come out of the state’s general operating fund

Initially, 400 caseworkers and their supervisors will be trained

Training will be performed online and in-person in 2010

States with training academies include: New Jersey, New York, Florida

Channel 7 Everyday Hero: Colorado Woman Helps Abused And Neglected Children
Sister Michael Allegri Recognized As 7Everyday Hero



Click here to read the story and view the video clip.

Kempe is now on My Colorado Project!




My Colorado is a vehicle to build community conversation, and encourage local community activism and strategic social investment.

My Colorado allows people to talk about social issues in their neighborhood, share news and information, create a plan to make change, engage their social graph, and monitor success within a platform which is modern and powerful. Through this network we hope to engage and encourage a new generation of philanthropists who seek not to make a transactional difference but a transformational difference.

No individual should feel powerless to influence change in their community. My Colorado is about seeing problems on your walk to work, reading about issues in your local paper, and sharing that information with other philanthropists and nonprofit partners to organize a response and deepen community engagement.

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