Smart Start South Central Oklahoma has launched a community public awareness campaign during the month of April, which is also Child Abuse Prevention Month. This year's theme repeats last year's theme, "It Only Takes a Minute to Make a Difference in the Life of a Child."
Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed each April since the first presidential proclamation in 1985.
Smart Start South Central Oklahoma wants to focus on the small, positive actions that each person can take to help raise safe, healthy, resilient children, said Cindy Byrd, coordinator of the Strengthening Families Grant at East Central University.
Statewide, local Child Abuse Prevention Committees gathered Tuesday [April 14] at the State Capitol for "Child Abuse Prevention Day" which featured speakers, booths, a blue ribbon tree and an art poster contest recognizing winners in grades K-12 from around Oklahoma.
Smart Start South Central is located in the Center for Continuing Education and Community Services at ECU. For more information about Smart Start and its array of services and activities, contact Trish Little, community coordinator, at 580-559-5367, or Cindy Byrd, strengthening families grant coordinator, at 580-559-5367.
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