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<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">August 19,
2009</span><span
style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">; FOR
IMMEDIATE
RELEASE</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span
style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">CONTACT:<span
style=""> </span>Candy Eaton, Program Director <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"
style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"
align="center"><b style=""><span
style="font-size: 4pt; font-family: "Tempus Sans ITC";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"
style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"
align="center"><b style=""><span
style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif";">Recognizing
& Reporting Signs of Stress in Families for <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"
style="margin-left: 0.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;"
align="center"><b style=""><span
style="font-size: 16pt; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif";">Mandated
Reporters of Suspected Child Abuse<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<font face="Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif"><span
style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In Maine,
many adults, while acting in a
professional capacity, are mandated by law to report suspected child
abuse or
neglect to the Department of Health and Human Services.<span style="">
</span>These professions include:<span style=""> </span>medical &
dental personnel, school
personnel, social workers & mental health professionals, camp
counselors,
child care personnel, law enforcement, municipal fire inspectors &
code
enforcement officials, clergy, court-appointed guardian ad litems and
humane
agents.<span style=""> </span>During last year’s legislative
session, school bus drivers and bus attendants were added to the list
of
professional mandated reporters.<span style=""> </span>Anyone
suspecting child maltreatment is encouraged to report, as well.<o:p></o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On <b
style=""><u>Tuesday,
September 22, 2009, 9am to noon</u></b>, the Hancock County Children’s
Council
will provide training for mandated reporters at Downeast Health
Services, 52
Christian Ridge Road, Ellsworth.<span style=""> </span>This
training includes the latest changes to the law, and will provide you
with a
basic framework for recognizing child abuse and neglect and the various
indicators of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and emotional
maltreatment.<span style=""> </span>You will learn when to
report, how to make a report, what to do if it’s an urgent situation,
what
happens after you file a report, and how to protect children and
support
families.<span style=""> </span>This training is free, but
space is limited to 15 participants, so please register early by
calling Candy
Eaton at 667-5304 ext. 261.<o:p></o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">For more than twenty years,
the Hancock County Children’s Council has worked to PREVENT child abuse
and
neglect in all its forms.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Physical
abuse</i> is a non-accidental
injury or pattern of injuries to a child.<span style="">
</span>These injuries may include, but are not limited to severe
beatings,
burns, human bites or strangulation.<span style=""> </span><i style="">Emotional
abuse </i>is a pattern of behavior
that attacks a child’s emotional development and sense of self-worth.<span
style=""> </span>Examples include constant criticizing,
belittling and providing no love, support or guidance.<span style="">
</span><i style="">Sexual
abuse </i>is the exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification
of
another as in rape, incest, fondling of the genitals, exhibitionism or
pornography.<span style=""> </span>Most child sexual abuse
victims are abused by someone they know.<span style="">
</span>We can help protect children by teaching them they have a right
to
privacy, not to keep secrets, and believe a child who confides in you.<span
style=""> </span><i style="">Neglect
</i>is not providing children with the care or protection they need.<span
style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The Hancock County
Children’s Council collaborates with many local and statewide partners
to strengthen
families and support communities in nurturing all children.<span
style=""> </span>The Council has an extensive collection of
books and videotapes on subjects designed to help children and families
live
healthier lives.<span style=""> </span>The Family Resource Center
Library is available to all residents in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Hancock</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
and is located at Downeast Health Services, <st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street
w:st="on">52 Christian Ridge Road</st1:Street>, <st1:City w:st="on">Ellsworth</st1:City>,
<st1:State w:st="on">ME.</st1:State></st1:address><span style=""> </span>Please
call 667-5304 ext. 261, email <a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:children@downeasthealth.org">children@downeasthealth.org</a>
or
visit our website at <span style="color: black;"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="http://www.downeasthealth.org">www.downeasthealth.org</a></span>
for additional information on parenting classes, child development and
family
resources available in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Hancock</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.<span
style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span>
<br>
<small><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: blue;">Candy
Eaton, Program Director<br>
Hancock County Children's Council <br>
a program of Downeast Health Services Inc.<br>
<st1:address w:st="on"><st1:Street w:st="on">52 Christian Ridge Road</st1:Street>,
<st1:City w:st="on">Ellsworth</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">ME</st1:State>
<st1:PostalCode w:st="on">04605</st1:PostalCode></st1:address><o:p></o:p></span></i>
<br>
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; color: blue;">207-667-5304,
ext. 261 <o:p></o:p></span></i>
<br>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a
moz-do-not-send="true" href="mailto:children@downeasthealth.org"><i>children@downeasthealth.org</i></a><o:p></o:p></span>
</small><br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span>
<br>
<span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></font>
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