Kids-TALK Children's Advocacy Center

It's did you know today is ? Today commemorates the universal symbol for relaxation!

Hammocks were first developed by the Mayans of Central and South America for sleeping or resting. Most often, they were made from the woven bark from the Hamack Tree, which is why in Spanish they are called "hamacas".

Today, the hammock is often seen as a symbol of summer, leisure, and relaxation. Go ahead, put your feet up, and relax😎


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We were honored to welcome and to the Kids-TALK CAC! The visit brought powerful support, collaboration, and a shared commitment to building an even stronger future for our children. Exciting things are ahead and we are grateful to have such dedicated partners by our side. 💙

Pictured from left to right: Melanie Richards, Director of Kids-TALK CAC, Kym Worthy, Wayne County Prosecutor, Dennis Archer Jr., Ignition Media Group, Laura Huot, CEO of The Guidance Center

Let's talk body safety! Do you know that 1 in 8 children will be the victims of sexual abuse before they are 18? We teach children what to do in case there is a tornado or a house fire, but we don't teach children about what to do in case if someone touches them in a way that they don't like or isn't okay with them.

It can be difficult to know how to start talking about body safety to the children in our lives. We love these suggestions from Educate to Empower. Here are some rules to teach!

✅My body belongs to me! Children have the right to say "no" to giving someone a hug or a kiss. Offer alternatives, such as giving a high five or blowing a kiss.

✅5 adults! There are five adults that I trust that I can talk to if I feel worried, scared, or unsure.

✅Early warning signs: If I have early warning signs (feeling frightened or unsafe, getting a sick tummy, or a racing heart) I must tell one of my 5 adults right away.

✅Secrets: I should never have secrets that make me feel bad or uncomfortable. I should tell one of my 5 adults!

✅Private parts: My private parts are private. No one should touch them, show me or ask me to touch theirs, or show me photos of private parts. If that happens I should tell one of my 5 adults right away!

Having conversations about body safety is just as critical as teaching children to look both ways before crossing the street or wear their seat belt. Use these tips to start this important conversation!

Today, we celebrate the 4th of July and extend our gratitude to the brave individuals who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. We are a nation of dreamers, innovators, and believers in the power of equality and justice for all.

We also reflect on the importance of freedom, justice, and the well-being of every child in our community. At Kids-TALK CAC, we are proud to stand for the rights of our littlest citizens, ensuring they have the chance to thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.

Wishing you a joyful and safe Fourth of July!

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When we think about Summertime in Michigan, the first thing we think of is water! No matter where you are in Michigan, you are never more than 6 miles away from an inland lake or 85 miles away from one of the Great Lakes!

We hope all of our supporters have a restful, relaxing, and fun weekend! And if you are able to, make sure you get outside and enjoy some time around water😎


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What should you if you know or suspect abuse or neglect of a child? Please REPORT your concern to the Department of Health and Human Services right away! It is estimated that for every one report of child abuse/neglect that is received, there are two reports that are not received.

Child abuse and neglect is often hidden and 90% of children know their abuser. As members of our communities, it is imperative that we report all concerns of child abuse and neglect so that the professionals can investigate. If a child discloses abuse or neglect to you, that should be reported too.⁠
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Suspected abuse and neglect can be reported anytime day or night. To report abuse and neglect please call 855-444-3911.
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Will you join us in helping to keep children safe? You can and will make the difference in the life of a child. 💖⁠💙

One of the best parts of living in the Great Lake State is all of the fun water activities we have access to all summer long!

While being on the water can be a lot of fun, it's important to be safe and take proper precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14.

We love these water safety tips for caregivers from the Red Cross. Follow these suggestions to keep your kids safe and have a great time on the water! For more information and resources, check out their website:

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/water-safety-for-kids.html


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Welcome ! Summer officially starts today and will last until September 22nd. Hooray!

Some children have different childcare providers in the summer or may attend a summer camp, which means that it is likely a good time to talk to children about how to stay safe.

We love these suggestions from the "Zero Abuse Project" about how to have age-appropriate conversations with children of all ages, toddlers through high schoolers. Check it out! www.zeroabuseproject.org/age-appropriate-conversations

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Juneteenth or Freedom Day marks the date that Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas to inform enslaved Black people of their freedom. This occurred two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.⁠
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Juneteenth is both about celebrating Black culture and the tremendous contributions Black people have made to our society, as well as recognizing that enslavement of Black people from the earliest days of our country continues to have negative economic, psychological, and social impacts today.⁠
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As caregivers and caring adults, we play an important role in helping children understand history. The National Museum of African American History and Culture created an amazing guide for educating children about Juneteenth and the history of slavery in America. It includes age-appropriate ways to talk about slavery and freedom, Juneteenth activities to do with children, and a children's book and online resources list. Please check it out and share this post!

https://nmaahc.si.edu/sites/default/files/files/nmaahc_kids_-_juneteenth_resource.pdf

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We have our eyes on the sky today on ! Stargazing is a great way to practice and teach mindfulness to children. Gazing at the stars and looking for constellations is a great way to connect to the here and now present. Believe it or not, there are plenty of great places to stargaze in the metro Detroit area! So grab a blanket, a sweater, and a telescope and catch some beautiful stars this Summer!

For suggestions of where to go to stargaze, we love this article from Space Tourism Guide: https://spacetourismguide.com/stargazing-in-detroit/


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It's and we are talking family check-ins! Family check-ins are a great way for everyone to connect and can be done during a meal, in the car, before bed, or any time you have a few minutes together!

Have each member go around and check in about their day:

- One high or thing that went well
- One low or thing you wished had gone better
- One thing you are worried about
- One thing you are grateful for

It's a great opportunity to learn more about what is going on for your kids and for everyone to feel heard and supported. Try it out and let us know how it goes!


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Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and father figures! We celebrate all of those individuals who love, support, guide, and encourage children. We know firsthand the incredible impact that a loving and supportive adult can have in the life of a child. Today we thank and celebrate you! ⁠
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