What we can do:
- Increase our comfort to report things to CPS when we think something is wrong, trust our inttuition- that's why they investigate - if nothing is wrong no harm/no foul
- Offer programs for building self esteem
- Let children tell their stories
- Share our stories of our childhood - help young people understand that they are not alone - normalize the experience for those who think they are the only one
- Educate parents
- Offer a group for parents of teens who think something might be wrong
- Keep asking youth what they need - then LISTEN to their answers
- Support Public Schools
- Mentor - programs in our area include READ, BBBS, Central High School, Kid's Hope, Ottawa County Mentoring Collaborative
- Investigate Search Institute's list of Assets
- Grow the Momentum Community Resource Area to include this information