Parenting can be challenging under any circumstance. That’s why Douglas County wants to help families by sharing proven strategies and local resources.
As part of Child Abuse Prevention Month, officially recognized by the Board of Douglas County Commissioners at the March 28 Business Meeting, everyone is encouraged to do their part to protect our community’s children.
According to the Colorado Department of Human Services, there are five proven ways for parents and caregivers to take care of themselves so they can best care for their children:
Be strong in the face of stress: Resilience is managing stress and dealing with your life, even when things get difficult.
Nurture caring friendships: Having a network of friends and family helps us feel secure, confident and empowered.
Grow your knowledge of parenting and child development: There is no perfect parent but knowing what to expect makes the job easier.
Ask for support when you need it: Some problems are too big to solve alone. Knowing where to get help in the community can make life easier.
Help your child manage feelings and relationships: Help children develop skills so they can manage their emotions and build healthy relationships with their peers and adults.
For details on these strategies, CO4kids.org. For local resources, visit Douglas County’s Child Welfare Resources webpage.
Please view these FAQs if you suspect a child may be in trouble. Then call the Douglas County child abuse and neglect hotline at 303-663-6270. Calls to the statewide hotline, 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437), will be routed to Douglas County child welfare professionals.