SJ recognizes Month of Military Child, Child Abuse Prevention Published March 24, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Heather Stanton 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Team Seymour will recognize Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout April with a host of events that bring special attention to children. Month of the Military Child is an effort to salute the contributions of military youth while Child Abuse Prevention Month draws attention to abuse and the effects it has on children. "The importance of each event is to let our military children know they are recognized and the community understands the significant role each child plays in the life of a military member," said Marilyn Roseborough, 4th Force Support Squadron chief of the Airman and Family Readiness Center. The A&FRC along with the 4th Medical Group Family Advocacy element has put together numerous events for children and their families, starting with a parade at 4 p.m. April 1 at the child development center. The annual Child Abuse Proclamation Ceremony will be at 10 a.m. April 6 on the steps of Goldsboro City Hall. A spaghetti dinner and art auction is set for 5 p.m. April 16 at the community center followed by a family game night at 6:30 p.m. April 23 at the youth center. The month will end with a kid's deployment line at 8 a.m. April 30 designed to give children a better understanding of what their parents do when they are preparing to deploy. Though recognizing children as an important aspect of military life is a vital part of the month's initiatives, a special emphasis has been placed on child abuse prevention because of the alarming numbers seen within the military, Roseborough said. "April is the month when military family advocacy programs, local and federal agencies, and citizens across the nation focus special attention on the prevention of child abuse," said Jerome Ellis, 4th Medical Operations Squadron chief of family advocacy. "The observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month gives each of us individually and all of us together the opportunity to promote the best for optimal childhood. Supporting the personal development, health, wellness and wellbeing of our children and teenagers is imperative to the strength and stability of healthy communities." The family advocacy element's goal is to help prevent child abuse and encourage a better life for military children through education, training, clinical intervention activities, consultations and briefings. "Children are our future and our most precious community asset," Ellis said. "Child Abuse Prevention Month initiatives promote consistent messages for advocacy, education and action. The goal is that our homes and communities nurture the healthy development of children." Recognizing military children and child abuse prevention is a community effort to give children a better tomorrow. "Community wellness requires collective competence and shared responsibility," Ellis said. "It is our duty to do all we can to support the wellbeing of children and teenagers." For more information on the month's events and initiatives, contact the A&FRC at 722-1123 or the family advocacy element at 722-1883.