Paterno Family Supports Family Support Alliance’s Call for Training and Education
With an audience of legislators, child advocates, policymakers and family support and child welfare workers, the annual breakfast served as an opportunity for PFSA to look to the future of how child abuse prevention efforts can be strengthened in PA.
According to Angela Liddle, executive director of PFSA, a critical part of prevention efforts is training and educational outreach so that every day citizens know how to recognize and report child abuse. “We must learn, we must get involved, we must find the resources needed, we must hold ourselves and those we know to a standard of accountability for the safety and well-being of our children,” said Liddle. “Every child is my child and your child.”
Jay and Sue Paterno served as guest speakers at the event and echoed the message of prevention through needed training. “As of right now the PA Family Support Alliance has a backlog, a waiting list of people who want to be trained,” said Jay Paterno. “If we were facing a crime wave and had people waiting to become police officers we’d battle to get more of them on the street as quickly as we could. It should be no different in training people on how to recognize and respond to child abuse.”
“Today is a great day in a great month; a month that is designated to raise awareness of child abuse in any form,” added Sue Paterno. “Each of us must learn to recognize the signs, be aware and be diligent in making everyone aware.”
Publically declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Office of Children, Youth and Families Cathy Utz, presented PFSA with a proclamation from the Office of the Governor, as well as Speaker of the House Sam H. Smith and Senator Bob Mensch who presented House and Senate Resolutions honoring the importance of the month.
Taking the opportunity to turn the spotlight on those who have already become leaders in the fight against child abuse, PFSA recognized Senator Pat Vance whose dedication led to the passage of Act 126, requiring training on child abuse recognition and reporting to school personnel.
In addition, representing The Morning Call in Allentown, Mike Hirsch accepted PFSA’s 2013 Michael A. O’Pake Memorial Award for Media Public Service for the publication’s weekly “Help for Families” column which is credited for educating their community on the importance of positive parenting.
Concluding the breakfast, Liddle called for action from the group of legislators and key community leaders in the room. Referencing the blue ribbon, the official awareness color of child abuse prevention, she asked everyone to “show off your blue ribbon and know that you have a part to play in stopping child abuse.”
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