Promote a culture where it is okay for employees to reach out and ask for help.
Acknowledge that personal difficulties – and parenting difficulties – can often infringe on work life. An employee who is not performing well or seems withdrawn may have a problem at home – and while you should not pry, make it clear that you are willing to listen and do not rush to judgment.
Offer your employees the option to flex their hours to accommodate a child’s school schedule.
Know how to respond.
Provide training to employees so that they know how to handle emerging situations with children and families, including tantrums, overwhelmed parents, and potential abduction situations.
Communicate understanding.
A simple smile or gesture recognizes that parenting in public is difficult and, sometimes, “kids will be kids.”
Explore options.
UNICEF offers a variety of actions both large and small, that businesses can take to support families and prevent child abuse.
Sponsor a local sports team or donate art supplies to a local preschool.
Humboldt County businesses can sponsor a sports team for as little as $50.
Use your specialty.
A tech company can help a local nonprofit build a better website, or an advertising firm can create a PSA for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
What you do every day can be helpful to families when given at a discount or free.
Whether you want to donate time to a medical facility or you are a sandwich shop that gives its day-old bread to a local food pantry you can make a difference.
Share resources with your employees.
First 5 and Changing Tides both offer parenting support and information that can be useful to working families. Parents can also call 855-427-2736 for support, in English or Spanish.
Offer leave for new parents (and foster and adoptive parents) and help them reintegrate into the workplace when they return.
Be informed.
Prevent Child Abuse America shows why reducing ACES – adverse childhood experiences – is an investment in the future.
Promote workplace safety. Visit Workplaces Respond to learn more.
During Child Abuse Prevention Month, wear blue.
The second Wednesday in April is the day to wear blue to show your support for ending child abuse and neglect. Snap a photo of your entire office dressed for the occasion, and then share it on social media with the hashtag #WearBlueHC to connect with others supporting the cause.
Contribute to concrete support for families.
Offer goods and services, or hold a donation drive in your office to collect items for any of the 20 Family First Community Pathway Sites.
Share Family First – CAPCC on Facebook and spread the word that there are ways to get involved.
Resources for Businesses
