April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Family Tree is raising awareness of the prevalence and warning signs of child abuse as well as providing ways that we can all help strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Parenthood brings some of the most precious and impactful moments of your life. Children shape us into human beings that run on nothing but love and joy. Once you become a parent, your child’s happiness is always intertwined with yours. Parenthood also brings many challenges and stressful times along the parenting journey.

Dear Family Tree Stakeholders,

Daniella never anticipated where her life was headed when she bought roundtrip tickets to California from Italy five years ago. She planned a three-month trip to be with her partner, but quickly discovered she was pregnant. The couple eloped and shortly after Daniella began noticing signs of hostility and control in her husband.

For those who don’t already know, February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! Family Tree is working toward ending the cycle of violence in teen dating by talking directly with youth in our community. Advocates from Family Tree’s Domestic Violence Outreach Program work closely with Jefferson County schools and students to help promote a safe school culture.

Immigration legislation changes have received attention from people of all ethnicities, races and backgrounds. Many Family Tree clients have become more cautious about sharing personal information, regardless of their immigration status. This uncertainty around recent legislation and its impacts might make families and individuals more hesitant to disclose personal details.

The Family Tree SafeCare® team noticed this impact on the enrollment in their program and decided to do something about this trend.

It can be incredibly difficult and frustrating to know someone you love is experiencing abuse and it can be even harder to feel helpless trying to support them. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month and Family Tree would like to provide ways you can help or support a teen you know that is experiencing dating violence.

Lani, a single mother, lives with her two sons, Mark, 22, and Jason, 16, and provides informal home hospice care for her terminally-ill brother, Paul. Both sons struggle with substance abuse, depression and anxiety as well as making progress academically or maintaining a job. Jason made poor choices that led him to court and the family was referred to Family Tree Community Family Resource Team (CFRT) due to concerns of child neglect of Jason.

We can readily admit to a housing crisis that is ever more apparent in our community, our state and our nation as a whole. So what are we doing about it? Does everyone count?