National Family Month 2008 Focuses on Top Issues Facing Kids and Families Today

In BETHLEHEM, Pa., Mother’s Day to Father’s Day (May 11 – June 15 in 2007) are the official dates of this year’s National Family Month(R). What is this? It is a congressionally recognized celebration to raise awareness and underscore the importance of family-kids, parents, relatives and caregivers. Also, it is meant to provide an opportunity for families to share special time together, develop or renew relationships, identify or rediscover needs, and remind everyone of the importance of family involvement in raising healthy, confident kids for America’s future.

the 126-year-old national children’s charity that created National Family Month, KidsPeace, has a A wealth of ideas, events, expert tips and free resources to help America’s families connect on their websites: http://www.kidspeace.org and http://www.familymonth.net . Also, there are more tips from the mentioned websites on how to reconnect, and live healthier, happier lives with family and also chock full of ideas on how to spend important time together.

Spotlights for the National Family Month every year varies. This year 2008, the target is to turn the public’s attention to two vital needs. One part is to emerge trend, and a chance to get involved in an engaging national effort that will help express appreciation of someone special and
even win something big.

2008’s National Family Month’s themes are:

— HONORING AMERICA’S GRANDPARENTS
Grandparents are the primary caregivers for nearly six million children in this country. The title of GRANDparent of the Year is being launched this year by the national children’s charity KidsPeace, Humana, Mattel, Beaches Resorts and GRAND Magazine to provide grandparents the right recognition they deserve. Any member of the American public can nominate a GRANDparent of the Year. Nominating forms are available in the May/June issue of GRAND Magazine and online at http://www.grandmagazine.com. Children should use the kid-safe site http://www.grandcontest.com.

— OPENING YOUR HEART AND YOUR HOME TO A CHILD IN NEED
If you have a love to share, why not create a family or expand the one you’ve got. Since National Foster Care Awareness Month is held every month of May, you can provide a foster home to one of more than 600,000 children nationwide that currently need one. Unfortunately, the number of foster homes falls far short of meeting the need. If you want to offer a supportive, caring foster family, act now. Help these kids claim a sanctuary of their own where they can be safe, heal from their emotional scars, and experience a sense of home and family they may never have had before. Help them also, to overcome crises such as abuse. To learn more about foster care and adoption, or find events in your area, go to http://www.kidspeace.org, http://www.fostercare.com , or http://www.fostercaremonth.org .

– KEEPING THE FAMILY MEMBERS YOU ALREADY HAVE AND LOVE SAFE
With nearly 900,000 U.S. youngsters hurt each year, child abuse in America remain at an unacceptable high level despite the fact that Americans work hard to protect their children. Since many of even the best-intentioned parents don’t know how to prevent abuse and the conditions under which it may come about, KidsPeace is offering free downloadable information packets entitled, “24 Ways You Can Prevent Child Abuse … Before it Starts.” Parents, teachers and others clearly benefit from these freebies by simply visiting http://www.kidspeace.org (click on “resources” and “brochures”). Also, find two dozen simple yet effective tips to Make Your Home Safe, Give Your Child Trust and Build Communication, Give Your Child Independence, and Give Your Child Self-Esteem.

And to keep children and families healthy and happy during National Family Month year-round, remember:

— At TeenCentral (http://www.TeenCentral.net/gethelp), an expert help for kids can be provided. It is a unique, free problem-solving websource that provides clinically screened help to defuse stresses leading to crises, depression, substance abuse, eating disorders and other problems.

— Pressures on today’s kids are sometimes difficult for adults to handle and so an online source Expert Help for Adults at http://www.kidspeace.org is useful for this purpose.

“National Family Month is an opportunity to talk with our kids about the issues that most affect us and our family lives together,” according to KidsPeace Acting President Dr. Lorrie Henderson. “We urge every family to get involved, add to your family, or enjoy rediscovering in some new way
the most important people in their lives.”

Founded in 1882 in Bethlehem, Pa., KidsPeace is a 126-year-old national children’s crisis charity dedicated to giving help, hope and healing to kids facing traumas, depression, eating disorders and the stresses of modern life. Since then, KidsPeace has helped thousands of children nationwide. Today, 50+ children a day benefits nationally and millions more through public education and outreach with the support of its National Spokesperson Leeza Gibbons, national safety and self-esteem icon RETRO BILL and other notables. KidsPeace was called “the outstanding organization” of its kind by the AAPSC and “a prototype of what we need for all children everywhere” by family expert Dr. Lee Salk.

Contact: Mark Stubis, Vice President

(800) 25-PEACE or mark.stubis@kidspeace.org