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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Dove's Nest has created resources to help churches focus on the role they can play in prevention. Dove's Nest is a non-profit organization dedicated to working with faith communities to keep children and youth safe.

Every April, government and religious leaders across the United States encourage citizens to focus on child abuse prevention in the communities where they live, work and worship. Dove's Nest has developed a resource kit for faith communities to use during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The kit from Dove's Nest includes:

  • a press release with information about Child Abuse Prevention month and the resource kit.
     
  • a bulletin insert, including a sample prayer and information about child and youth protection policies.
     
  • a Power Point file designed for use on your congregation's projection system prior to the morning service, or whenever you deem best.
     
  • Resource list  of available books and websites offering help and information about child abuse prevention.
     
  • Promotional information  about two excellent educational tools available to assist faith communities in developing and implementing child and youth protection policies as well as understanding proper boundaries and what to do when those boundaries are broken:
    • Let the Children Come: Preparing Faith Communities to End Child Abuse and Neglect (Jeanette Harder, Herald Press, 2010). The audience for this book is Christians who are concerned about the safety and wellbeing of children. Church educators will be able to use this book to lead an adult Sunday School class on the role of our faith communities in ending child abuse and neglect. Church denominations will want to use this book as they raise awareness and provide training on the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
       
    • Circle of Grace - a Christian safe environment curriculum that helps to form and educate children and youth about the value of positive relationships with God and others.
       

Comments

Thank you, Rachel, for the great resources.

I would like to highlight one of the resources you listed, Circle of Grace. Safe Church Ministry has this curriculum for churches to use. Please contact our office for sample lessons and further information.

Our goal is that every church and youth program in the CRCNA uses a curriculum that teaches respect and promotes healthy relationships.

Alicia Mannes

Associate, Safe Church Ministry

[email protected]

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