Partnership to check child abuse

OPINION:

As “Abuse’s big toll on littlest victims” (Web, Monday) points out, child abuse and neglect is nothing less than an epidemic causing enormous harm to children in the United States.

In 2010, more than 1,500 children died as a result of child abuse and neglect. That is why evangelical pastors and ministry leaders from Shepherding the Next Generation are participating in Blue Sunday. On April 22, churches across the nation will set aside time in their services to pray for the victims of child abuse and neglect and consider practical ways to reduce the problem.

In my hometown of Dayton, Ohio, we strongly support Nurse Family Partnership, a voluntary, high-quality, home-visiting program that research shows can cut child abuse and neglect by as much as 50 percent among new at-risk families. I recently had the opportunity to go into the home of a young mother and see how this program works. Our local program provides new parents with registered nurses who make regular visits, helping new parents cope with the many stresses of raising a child.

I am blessed to live in a community with such an effective program and in a state where the governor and state legislators value home visits - despite a tight state budget.

Together we can meet the challenge of this epidemic. We can ensure that more children have the opportunity to pursue lives of health, opportunity, personal faith and strong values.

DON SOLIN

Fairhaven Church

Dayton, Ohio