Not One More Child coalition highlights Public Health partnership
The start of the school year can bring new excitement and new unknowns. These unknowns can create stress that can leave children vulnerable. Keeping children safe requires collaboration from our whole community. Arapahoe County’s community coalition, Not One More Child, examined how to break down barriers and promote positive health outcomes for children.
Not One More Child connects those who want to learn and educate others about the work being done to prevent child abuse and neglect. At their most recent meeting on Aug. 21, they built a better understanding of how Arapahoe County Human Services partners with Public Health and how some of the work of Arapahoe County Public Health prevents child abuse and neglect:
Human Services clients are referred to Arapahoe County Public Health’s Nurse Liaison Program. Participating families are regularly visited by a nurse, who can help with health care, child development, and health-related social needs. Families are connected to individualized resources from both Human Services and Public Health staff that meet their complex needs.
Human Services’ Two-Generation (2Gen) approach serves the whole family, specifically children and the adults in their lives together, simultaneously.?Human Services caseworkers see first-hand the link between adults with substance use disorders and child abuse and other unsafe living environments. Arapahoe County Public Health’s Harm Reduction efforts are another set of tools, including HIV/Hep C testing and access to Narcan, that can help minimize the consequences associated with substance abuse.
These collaborative approaches to care help support families, and ultimately, keeps children safer.
If you are interested in actively participating in efforts to guide child safety and eliminate child abuse, join the Not One More Child coalition by emailing jleblanc@zouxigx.net.?
More information on resources to keep all families safe and healthy is available on our Human Services webpages, Public Health presentation and fliers for community resources, and at Arapahoe County Public Health.
