Wednesdays4Kids November 4

-- Harry Edwards

Child Abuse Declining in Minnesota, Still Room to Improve: Last month the Kid’s Count Databook for Minnesota reported that there has been a 37% decrease in child abuse and neglect cases since 2002. Between 2002 and 2007 we went from 10,000 cases to 6,277 cases. According to a recent report put out by Every Child Matters Education Fund titled “We Can Do Better: Child Abuse and Neglect Deaths in the U.S” (click here to download a copy), there were 103 child abuse or neglect related deaths in Minnesota. Although this number is comparatively low, it shows that there is still work to be done because all child abuse cases are an injustice and unacceptable in our state. Minnesota also ranks in the bottom 15 states in the amount of child welfare funding we spend per capita.

Take action by sending a message to your Representatives, asking them to adopt new policies and commit new resources to safeguard at-risk children all across the country. You can also write a letter to the editor, or submit an op-ed to your local paper. Every Child Matters has a template that you can tailor to your needs and situation. Click here to download. Be sure to send this information to concerned colleagues, friends, and family members.

Free Videoconference with Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota: PCAMN presents, Emerging Research and Messages on Tuesday, November 17 from 1:30 to 4:00 pm.

Materials that will be covered include, "Social Norms and Child Abuse Prevention" with Dr. Jeffery Linkenbach from Most of Us, "Connecting the Protective Factors to New Research about Fatherhood" with Paul Masiarchian and Melissa Froehle from Minnesota Fathers and Families Network, and "Prevention Messaging Research Update" with Becky Dale of PCAMN.

Even though the videoconference is free, PCAMN would like you to follow this link to register online. You can also view Past Videoconference Materials.

Children’s Sabbath Survey Reminder: Please be sure to follow up with us and let us know how your Children’s Sabbath Event went. You can download our survey by clicking here. Please save the survey and email it back to Rachel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . You can also send us the survey by mail at:

Interfaith Children’s Advocacy Network 

Attention: Rachel Herzfeldt-Kamprath

122 W. Franklin Ave., 

Minneapolis, MN 55404

If your congregation is planning a Children’s Sabbath for a later date and you still need the Children’s Sabbath manual and other materials you can download them here, or email Rachel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a hard copy.

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