ALCOAST 182/08
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ: NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
A. COAST GUARD FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM, COMDTINST 1750.7 (SERIES)
1. APRIL IS NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH. IT IS THE
RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL COAST GUARD PERSONNEL TO BUILD A SAFE AND
NURTURING ENVIRONMENT SO THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CAN REALIZE THEIR
FULL POTENTIAL. DURING THIS MONTH, WE RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO
PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND REDEDICATE OURSELVES TO WORKING TOGETHER
TO ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN CAN HAVE A HOPEFUL FUTURE.
2. CREATING A PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE REQUIRES
THE SHARED COMMITMENT OF INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND THE COAST GUARD
COMMUNITY. PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ARE THE FIRST AND MOST
IMPORTANT INFLUENCE IN A CHILDS LIFE. A SAFE AND STABLE FAMILY CAN
PROVIDE CHILDREN WITH A FOUNDATION THAT ENCOURAGES POSITIVE GROWTH
AND DEVELOPMENT.
3. UNFORTUNATELY, EVERY YEAR, SOME CHILDREN IN COAST GUARD FAMILIES
ARE VICTIMS OF NEGLECT, AS WELL AS PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE.  THE
COAST GUARD FAMILY ADVOCACY PROGRAM (FAP) ASSISTS COMMANDS WITH
THESE COMPLEX ISSUES, HELPS FAMILIES PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN, AND
ENSURES PROPER RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR VICTIMS, FAMILY MEMBERS
AND PERPETRATORS. FAP EMPLOYS FAMILY ADVOCACY SPECIALISTS (FAS)
COAST GUARD-WIDE FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF MANAGING INCIDENTS OF
FAMILY VIOLENCE. I ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU TO RAISE YOUR LEVEL OF
AWARENESS BY LEARNING MORE ABOUT CHILD ABUSE. THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE
IS AN EXCELLENT RESOURCE:  WWW.CHILDWELFARE.GOV.
4. KEY TO THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN IS A STRONG PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN THE FAS AND COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE.
REF A REQUIRES COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE OF ALL
UNITS TO PROMPTLY REPORT ALL ALLEGATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
TO THE FAS AT THEIR SERVICING ISC AND HSC. MEETING THE CHALLENGE OF
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT REQUIRES DECISIVE AND IMMEDIATE ACTION.
5. THE FAS AT EACH ISC AND HSC CAN PROVIDE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
AND RESOURCE MATERIALS ON INDICATORS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT.  I
ENCOURAGE ALL COMMANDS TO CONTACT THEIR FAS AND AVAIL THEMSELVES OF
THESE RESOURCES. I URGE EACH OF YOU TO DO YOUR PART TO CREATE AN
ENVIRONMENT WHICH DOES NOT TOLERATE OR EXCUSE CHILD ABUSE AND
NEGLECT AND FOSTERS THE WELL-BEING AND SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN.
6. POC: DR. LAUREL SHUSTER, COMDT (CG-1111), 202-475-5157 OR EMAIL
LAUREL.A.SHUSTER(AT)USCG.MIL.
7. CAPT LORI A. MATHIEU, ACTING DIRECTOR OF HEALTH AND SAFETY,
SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.