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State Rep. Donato shows support for child abuse prevention efforts

Print | Comments () Posted by Christina Jedra May 2, 2013 10:00 AM

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Rep. Paul Donato, D-Medford,(center ) with staff from Healthy Families Melrose-Wakefield program, left to right, Luz Marte, Liliana Patino and Kathleen Marek, and Rep. Paul A. Brodeur, D-Melrose, at the “Step Up for Prevention” event hosted by Children’s Trust Fund at the State House.

The following was submitted by the Children's Trust Fund of Mass.:

State Representative Paul J. Donato , D-Medford, recently demonstrated his support for child abuse prevention by attending the Step Up For Prevention ceremony held by Children’s Trust Fund (CTF) at the State House.

The ceremony included a display of 66 pairs of children’s shoes that represented the average number of children abused each day in Massachusetts. The Governor’s proclamation of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month was also read.

The Boston Bruins supported the event with a donation to purchase shoes, which will be given to families who participate in CTF-funded programs.

While CTF invests in many strategies to support parents in creating healthy home environments for children, this event highlighted services in which a family-support professional visits with parents at their homes.

The U.S. Commission on Child Abuse and Neglect called home visiting the single most promising strategy for the prevention of child abuse and neglect.

With a broad coalition of support, CTF has filed legislation to provide Massachusetts with a blueprint to grow statewide evidence-based home visiting programs. There will be a public hearing on the bill – “An Act Strengthening Early Support and Education” – June 5 at the State House.

In Representative Donato’s district of Medford, CTF funds Healthy Families Melrose/Wakefield, a home visiting program for young parents operated by Hallmark Health.

CTF also funds the Medford Family Center, operated by Medford Public Schools.

About the Children's Trust Fund of Massachusetts

The Children’s Trust Fund works to strengthen families and support parents as they raise and nurture their children. It does this in partnership with others by providing resources, information, and leadership to communities across the state. For more information about the Children’s Trust Fund, visit www.mctf.org, send an email to info@mctf.org or call toll-free (888) 775-4KID.