Category: Press Release

APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH

Dixon Family Services has a banner in front of the building with blue pinwheels spinning in the spring wind during the month of April as one way to remind people that April is Child Abuse Awareness Month and that there are things we can all do to reduce and prevent child abuse and neglect.

This past year with the Coronavirus pandemic “Shelter in Place”, school closures, and other restrictions, unfortunately, we fear that there may be additional circumstances in homes that can trigger abusive behaviors.

Losses of jobs, financial stress, children and parents having to stay at home during times they would normally be in school or at work,  being “on edge”/anxious about what comes next,  increased consumption of alcoholic beverages and other substances, are just a few of the conditions we believe can lead to abusive environments.

As a community we have a responsibility to nurture and protect our children and help ensure they become healthy and productive adults.  Child abuse, in its many forms, happens every day and has major impacts on the futures of those victimized.

Studies show that there is a direct link between child abuse and a greater risk later in life of depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, eating disorders, obesity, sexual promiscuity, certain chronic diseases and suicide.

Dixon Family Services (DFS) is a community-based Family Resource Center.  Our non-profit organization does all it can to help ensure the safety and well-being of Dixon’s children all year long.  With a special focus on low-income families with children, a priority goal is to reduce the incidences of child abuse or neglect by decreasing some of the basic needs worries and stressors parents increasingly face on a daily basis, especially when living on insufficient incomes.

Though our main focus is on households living at or below poverty, we want to be clear that child abuse knows no boundaries and is found in families of all socio-economic backgrounds and cuts across lines of ethnicity, culture, and education.

There are a number of factors that can create increased risk of child abuse including lack of parenting skills, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty and substandard housing conditions, domestic violence, and a parent history of child abuse.  These same risk factors can be barriers to abusers’ acknowledgement of the problem and ability to seek programs/services intended to stop the abuse such as parenting classes, counseling or other approaches.

Do not hesitate to report what you think might be abusive behavior to local police or county child protective services.  Let professionals determine if your concerns are worth investigation.

For more information about child abuse, ways to help prevent it, and how to report it, we suggest you visit the Children’s Network website www.childnet.org, or Partners in Prevention website www.partnersinprevention.org , or call Solano Child Welfare Services 1 (800) 544-8696.

HOLIDAY FOOD PROGRAM

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING AND DIXON FAMILY SERVICES WILL PROVIDE THE HOLIDAY FOOD PROGRAM DESPITE COVID-19

We have our sign-up dates scheduled and they are from Wednesday December 2 through Thursday December 10.  Those interested should call DFS to schedule an application appointment with a DFS case manager.  Application assessments will be done on an appointment basis and can take from 20-30 minutes.  Please wear a mask and if possible, do not bring children with you to the assessment.

 

Due to Covid-19 we do not accept walk-in clients, so please call to make an appointment or to ask any questions.  Thank you.

 

Our program is for Dixon families who have children 0-18 living in the household.  When you call for an appointment we will explain any documentation that you will need to bring to your appointment with you.  Please call us at 707 678-0442 or email us at info@dixonfamilyservices.org to find out more about the Dixon Family Services Holiday Food Program.

 

Distribution will take place on Wednesday, December 16.  All food for the program comes from donations by churches, businesses or individual community members; from local food drives and purchases at the CC Solano Food Bank with donation checks from people who want to help in stocking our DFS Food Pantry shelves for the holidays.  Call DFS if you want to help.

 

In November and December we plug in our large freezers to accept turkeys and other meats that are donated by individuals, businesses, churches and other groups.  Some local businesses have established some very interesting and fun ways for their patrons to participate in the giving spirit, such as the Dixon Buckhorn and their Annual Turkey Bowl. 

 

Some local large companies, such as Altec give turkeys to their employees and also provide them the option of donating their turkey to DFS for our Holiday Food Program.  All turkeys, hams and other large roasts are very much appreciated by the families we serve.

 

Dixon Family Services also tries to be aware of and will pass on information about other holiday food and toys programs in our area so that families can get signed up for as much help as they can.  We welcome churches or other organizations that are providing a holiday program of any kind to reach out to us and let us know how to apply.

 

If we know the requirements and application processes for other local programs we can tell the people who call us.  We can also post information and flyers on our Facebook page.  We believe it takes community cooperation by all entities to provide the best service opportunities for those we all strive to serve. 

 

This holiday season is especially important to help families struggling in light of the Covid-19 challenges so many are facing.

 

For more information about the Dixon Family Services Holiday Food Program, how to sign-up or how to help please call us at 707 678-0442.  Leave a message if we are not available when you call, or email info@dixonfamilyservices.org