HOPE Council
Healthy Options for Parents Through Education
Healthy Options for Parents Through Education (HOPE) is a regional child abuse prevention committee committed to preventing child abuse through education and public awareness. Throughout the year the committee develops and distributes public awareness campaigns in the East Valley of Maricopa County.
Two of the main campaigns include the Income Tax Check-Off Campaign and the Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month Campaign. The Income Tax Check-Off Campaign encourages the community to donate money to the child abuse prevention fund, which supports prevention programs throughout the state, by checking the designated box on their income tax forms.
April is CAP Month and the campaign that takes place in April supports national and statewide child abuse prevention efforts by developing and implementing public awareness activities specific to the East Valley during CAP month. Throughout CAP month, thousands of blue ribbons are distributed and everyone is encouraged to wear a blue ribbon in support of child abuse prevention.
In addition to these two campaigns, a variety of others are promoted throughout the year. These cover topics such as Shaken Baby Syndrome, Parenting Tips for Men, a Together Time Calendar to promote positive family interactions, Parenting in Public, Cornucopia Kids or dealing with kids who want everything, TV/Media Violence, How to Stop Child Abuse in a Public Place, Report Card Reflex which gives parents tips for dealing with report cards in a calm manner, Summer safety Tips, and several others.
Special projects and events are also conducted related to child abuse prevention and promoting positive family interactions such as a family festival in April and a family event in November.
For more information on the H.O.P.E. committee or to become a volunteer member of this committee, please contact Angela Takagi at 480-834-9424.
Objectives
- To continue the implementation of public awareness and education campaigns
- To assess community needs and make recommendations
- To develop new public awareness campaigns to address changing community needs
- To advocate for prevention programs
- To share referral sources between HOPE members
- To identify resources for special projects
- To work collaboratively with local, state and national organizations
- To coordinate community events to promote positive family interactions
- To work in tandem with the East Valley Family Resource Center to serve children and families in the community