2007 Spankout Day USA Events and Programs

SpankOut Day USA April 30th was initiated for EPOCH-USA in 1998 to bring widespread attention to the need to end physical punishment of children and to promote effective, non-violent disciplinary practices. More than 500 events and programs have been held since that time. Agencies in several foreign countries have adopted the observance to educate parents and caregivers.

If you are planning a program or event, please check out our website for ideas: http://www.stophitting.org/spankOut/toolkit.php

Let us know about your event/program so we can post it on this website. Contact info@stophitting.org

Update: International Events just added to the end of this list!

Here are some of the programs/events for SpankOut Day 2007:

CORNERSTONE COUNSELING
106 East Third Street, Imboden, AR 72434
Brenda Ray, MRC, LPC - Director

Target: The entire community including single parent families, grandparents who parent grandchildren, and families with parents who are in recovery from or are active in substance abuse

Program: A 120 minute seminar will address the ineffectiveness of spanking as well as the effectiveness of the Love and Logic approach. Love and Logic promotes assisting the child in making logical connections between action and consequence, thereby developing internal control which will serve throughout life, rather than external, fear-based control which will serve only in the presence of the disciplinarian.
PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Dept. of Psychology, 4190 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Rosemary B. Mennuti, Ed.D and Ray W. Christner, Psy.D

Target: We will target this program to the students at the Byers' School in Philadelphia, PA. The Byers' School is a charter school serving students across the city of Philadelphia. The school provides service to approximately 400 students. All parents will be invited and we are anticipating participation from 35 parents, which will afford the opportunity to facilitate discussion with the participants.

Program: The title of the program will be The Annual Healthy Parents, Happy Children Program. The program will follow the outline below: (1.5 hours)
1. Introduction (5 min.)
2. Review of last year's workshop (5 min.)
3. Relaxation and guiding questions (10 min.)
  1. Ways to be disciplined.
  2. Ways they discipline.
4. Follow-up discussion of guided questions (15 min.)
5. What are the consequences of current discipline approaches? (10 min)
  1. Facilitative discussion (positive and negative)
6. Building skills from a Problem-solving, Relational Approach (30 min.)
  1. Enhancing Communication Skills
  2. Increasing Problem-Solving
  3. Encouraging Behavioral Change
7. Discussion and Conclusion (5 min.)
8. Question and Answer (10 min.)
CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER, INC.
P.O. Box 488, Fayettville, NC 28302-0488
Pam McEvoy - Executive Director

Target: Parents of young children. We have 85,000+ children in our country and have the largest military installation (Ft. Bragg and Pope AFB) in the country.

Program: This will be part of our April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention activities. We will have:
- Our yearly Child Abuse Conference on the 4th and 5th;
- A "Grow A Healthy Child" event at the local botanical garden on April 7th;
- We will participate in the yearly "Break the Chain of Child Abuse" event on April 20th;
- We will participate in the Dogwood Festival April 28-29th;
- We will offer a workshop at one or more of the public libraries on physical punishment the last week in April in observance of SpankOut Day April 30th.
We plan to give out materials at the above mentioned events and ask the community to join the Child Advocacy Center and participate on the SpankOut Day, April 30th.
PREVENT CHILD ABUSE NORTH DAKOTA
P.O. Box 1213, Bismarck ND 58502
Sarah Keiser - Program Support Manager

Target: Community and partnering agencies; Parents; Parent education and support facilitators, coordinators and staff; Professionals that works with parents and families.

Program: Mini-grant funds will be used to produce materials for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (CAP) Month Community Awareness packets. Three individual pieces will be produced based on the EPOCH-USA Parent Support and Training materials "Ten Guidelines for Effective Discipline of Children", "Parenting in the Positive", and "Educating and Motivating Parents and Professionals around the Issue of Corporal Punishment". The educational materials we distribute will be used to educate both parents and professionals about effective discipline and alternatives to corporal punishment.

The materials will also be presented during the last week of April, 2007 to the participating parents and families in both our Nurturing Parenting Program and Circle of Parents network groups. A lesson or discussion will occur about SpankOut Day USA and alternatives to corporal punishment based upon the materials.
CHATHAM COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, FAMILY OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISON
80 East Street, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Mary Linker - Division Manager

Target: The target for the event will be the current clients of the various group parenting programs of the Family Outreach and Support Services Division.

Program: FOSS will purchase the three-volume DVD series of "Positive Discipline Without Shaking, Shouting, or Spanking". The DVD series consists of three volumes with age appropriate techniques for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The DVD series, "Positive Discipline", teaches parents that the common frustrations surrounding child rearing can be managed by using discipline techniques that are healthy for children and encourage positive outcomes. The series includes facilitation materials and handouts, which will also be used at the SpankOut Day event. The video program concludes by encouraging parents to use positive discipline techniques and motivating them to take a "No Spanking Pledge". A facilitated reflection and discussion regarding the video series will be held during specially designated meeting of the Circle of Parents, Focus on Fathers, and the Adolescent Parenting group programs throughout the month of April.
CEN-CLEAR CHILD SERVICES, INC.
1633 Philipsburg Bigler Highway, Philipsburg, PA 16866
Audrey Bucher - Family Community Partnership Coordinator

Target: The target group for our SpankOut Day main event will be the parents and caregivers of the children enrolled in our Houtzdale Child and Family Center in Clearfield County.

Program: In 2006 we initiated a new curriculum for parents based on the Positive Discipline Without Shaking, Shouting or Spanking video/DVD series. The three-volume set deals with effective discipline for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers respectively and not only identifies the problem, but offers parents research-based solutions for disciplining their child. Last year we purchased the preschooler volume in video format. It was so effective that we hope to purchase the entire three-volume DVD set this year for use in our centers and during home visits.

Our 2006 Center training was a big success, and we want to replicate it this year at our Houtzdale Center. Activities will include:
- In-service for all CCS home visitors to review the Positive Discipline series and the Parents Handbook, Loving Discipline for Children ages 1 through 5. Home Visitors at all 23 sites have received copies of the Parents Handbook.
- Special event at the Houtzdale Family Center scheduled for the last week in April 2007. Parents and caregivers will view a video selected from the Positive Discipline series and receive the Loving Discipline Parents Handbook.
- Subsequent home visits with each family in the Houtzdale Center to reinforce lessons learned in the video and review effective discipline practices contained in the Loving Discipline Parents Handbook.
HEALTHY FAMILIES VIRGINIA BEACH
4452 Corporation Lane, Virginia Beach, VA 23462
Linda McElwain, RN - Healthy Families Resource Nurse

Target: Families of children ages birth to 5 years who receive home visiting services or attend the infant playgroup at the Health Department.

Program: During the month of April 2007, a focus of our program will be on the positive use of Hands. We will provide home visitors with the following items to use with their families during the month of April:
1. Home visitors will receive a copy of the board book entitled Hands are Not for Hitting. This will be used for a reading activity followed by a hands-on activity for the child using play dough and a hand cookie cutter (infants will have their handprint done in play dough to harden).
2. Alternatives to spanking = topic of discussion.
3. Play group attendees will be introduced to Hands are Not for Hitting; discipline will be the topic of the month and hand prints in play dough will be the craft for the month.
AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER OF SOUTHERN NEVADA
1094 E. Sahara Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89104
Shaun Mollica - Child Abuse Prevention Program Coordinator

Target: Parents of children attending Dean Petersen Elementary School in Las Vegas, NV, many of which also have children younger than five years old.

Program: AHEC has partnered with the United Way of Southern Nevada Success By Six program to bring a series of workshops to parents of children attending elementary schools in low-income areas of Las Vegas, entitled "Building Healthy Families". The focus of these workshops is on stress management techniques for parents, and emphasizes the concept of "Have a Plan" to deal with stressful situations, such as a baby's constant crying. On April 25, 2007, AHEC's presentation will be modified to focus on effective discipline and alternatives to spanking, and will expand on the "Have a Plan" theme to include developing a plan to handle behavioral problems in children. The 90-minute program will be conducted in both English and in Spanish, and parenting materials, including EPOCH-USA's "Ten Guidelines for Effective Discipline of Children" and "Ten Reason for NOT Hitting Children," will be distributed in both languages as well. The audio-visual presentation will emphasize the difference between punishment and discipline and will include a DVD viewing. Throughout the presentation, parents will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss their views and behaviors. In addition, participants will be asked to use the "Help for Behavior Problems of School-Age Children" handout (EPOCH-USA) to facilitate a group discussion about discipline strategies and create a plan for handling specific behavioral issues. Parents will be able to discuss with the presenter and each other their successes with particular discipline techniques. Parents will be able to provide advice to each other on handling common discipline problems, without resorting to hitting.
BARIUM SPRINGS HOME FOR CHILDREN
P.O. Box 1, Barium Springs, NC 28010
Amanda Street - Family Support Specialist

Target: Parents of children enrolled in the Early Childhood Center at Barium Springs Home for Children and parents of adolescents enrolled in the Day Treatment program at Barium Springs Home for Children.

Program: Two parent workshops will be offered the last week of April, 2007:
1. Targeting parents of children in Early Childhood program: Presenters will incorporate portions of the "Are Your Kids Driving You Crazy?" workshop into a toddler-specific workshop, "Is it Behavior or Misbehavior?". Along with developmental information, the session will include demonstrations and encouragement of using positive discipline strategies that do not involve physical punishment.
2. Targeting parents of youth in Day Treatment programs: A parent workshop will be presented that incorporates portions of the "Are Your Kids Driving You Crazy?" outline with specific tools that have demonstrated effectiveness in reducing problem behavior in at-risk youth. Focus will be on providing positive/appropriate discipline that does not include physical punishment.

A mini-community resource fair will be set-up for parents to browse after each workshop. Childcare will be provided at no cost to families, and a nutritious dinner will be served to parents and children. All participants will receive Effective Discipline magnets, Spank Out Day stickers, certificates of completion, and positive parenting materials directed towards parents of young children, provided by Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina.

CHILD ABUSE COUNCIL
525 16th Street, Moline, IL 61265
Pam Hauman - Associate Director

Target: Women and children residing in our local Domestic Violence Shelter and first time parents participating in our Healthy Families home visitor program.

Program: We will conduct a one hour presentation titled "Corporal Punishment: Effects and Alternatives" at the shelter that serves 20 women and their children and we will incorporate a discussion on physical punishment into our weekly in-home visits with Healthy Families program.
KIDS HOPE UNITED
1015 Locust Street, Suite 900, St. Louis, MO 63101
Herman King - Youth and Community Services Supervisor

Target: Parents and families of at-risk children in the City of St. Louis.

Program: Kids Hope United (KHU) proposes to present a two-hour parenting session event on effective discipline. Specifically, the program will focus on corporal punishment and its lasting emotional impact on children. Just as importantly, alternatives to corporal punishment will be discussed in depth. The presenters will consist of KHU staff, parents, youth and collaborative partners. The event will have media coverage (St. Louis Argus Newspaper). Package information, addressing the critical need for effective discipline will be given to parents and families. There will be attendance prizes for each family in attendance and we hope to have at least 30 families.
GREATER RICHMOND SCAN (STOP CHILD ABUSE NOW)
1506 Staples Mill Road, Suite 203, Richmond, VA 23230
Jeanine Harper - Executive Director

Target: Families in an urban neighborhood in the City of Richmond. A majority of families are single-parent households.

Program: SCAN will collaborate with Sacred Heart Center, a local community center, to provide a "Parents' Night Out" dinner and interactive workshop on positive discipline. Materials addressing effective discipline and behavior management will be distributed. Sacred Heart Center is a site for one of SCAN's existing psycho-educational support groups for families affected by child abuse and neglect. The workshop will target the SCAN support group members and other parents receiving services at the Center, but will be open to the entire neighborhood. The Center will assist with marketing the "Parents' Night Out" to their clients. Incentives, such as door prizes, will also be offered. Dinner will be provided by a corporate partner through our Family Fun Night project. Childcare will be provided by SCAN volunteers.
HEALTHY FAMILIES COUNSELING AND SUPPORT
3100 NE 83RD St. Suite 2500, Kansas City, MO 64119
Andrea Simpson, BraveHearts for Dads coordinator

Target: Parents of children enrolled in Tender Beginnings home visiting Program and BraveHearts program for dads (prenatal to age six).

Program: We will hold an educational seminar featuring a guest speaker to address alternative discipline techniques for children birth to age six. The speaker will address ways to reduce stress and open the door for effective communication and problem-solving skills between parents and their children. Each family will receive a packet of information to take home and review. A Family Support Specialist will follow up with a home visit to answer questions and support the utilization of information presented.
FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF WYOMING VALLEY
31 W. Market St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Ruth Kemmerer, Director of Resource Development and Volunteer Services

Target: Penns Girl Scouts and Women in Crisis Program of Maternal And Family Health Services

Program: Penns Woods Girl Scouts will design a book mark or button for SpankOut Day April 30th and will make a list of alternate ways of disciplining children. They will be distributed to mothers participating in the maternity and WIC programs by the department of Maternal Family and Health Services. At the conclusion the girls will do a presentation to parents at a pack meeting sharing how this project affected them and what they learned about discipline that they can use as parents. Parents at the end of the presentation will fill out evaluation forms and parents in the maternity and WIC programs will also do evaluations.
THE CRISIS CENTER, INC
2251 N Webb Rd., P.O. Box 5885, Grand Island NE 68802
Shellie Pointer, Director

Target: Families with backgrounds of violence and abuse

Program: Our board room will be set up for families to view a television DVD on positive parenting ideas. Information will be handed out and available in English and Spanish. Children will get stickers saying "Hands are for hugging not hitting". Tootsie roll pops will be handed out with tags that say "Give your lollipop a lickin', not your child". Refreshments will be available and staff will be able to ask questions about parenting concerns.
YWCA OF WESTERN MASSACHUSSETS
One Clough Street, Springfield MA 01118
Dawn DiStefano

Target: Young parents age 24 and under who are pregnant or parenting. They may be current clients of programs of YWCA PAGEplus or Teen Transitional Living programs as well as those of community partners.

Program: We will provide a Self Care/Stress Management Workshop including positive discipline education for young parents culminating with an activity which demonstrates and involves participants in alternatives to physical punishment. It will take place in the early evening and light refreshments will be served. Childcare will be provided as well as a variety of transportation options including bus tokens and agency vans.
EARLY EDUCATION CENTER- MESA EARLY LEARNING PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
122 N Country Club, Mesa AZ 85201
Hope Dillon, teacher

Target: Caregivers of our preschool students

Program: We will conduct two 2 hour workshops: one for English-speaking families and one for Spanish-speaking families. The workshops will teach anger-management-composure skills requiring active participation. The video "Shaking, Hitting, Spanking: What to do Instead" will be shown and we will reflect on the video and end by writing a commitment statement such as "I will practice breathing techniques to help calm down or will seek support from a friend when I feel overwhelmed."
ATTACHMENT PARENTING INTERNATIONAL OF PEORIA
20018 W Route 150, Brimfield IL 61517
Tammy Smith, Council Member

Target: Parents and parents-to-be in the seven county area of Greater Peoria area who learn about our group in doctors offices other places in the community.

Program: We dedicate the month of April 2007 to positive discipline. We will hold a meeting featuring a research-based lecture, role playing and discussion about positive discipline including the importance of development and cognitive stages in discipline, determining wants Vs. needs, and dealing with the emotional impact of viewing non-AP discipline. We will distribute brochures on positive discipline and blue ribbons in support of SpankOut Day.
BARSTOW ACRES CHILDREN'S CENTER
590 Main Street, Prince Frederick MD 20678
Sonia Hinds, RN, MSN, CS-P, Director

Target: Parents of children with mental health and behavior problems.

Program: A two-hour workshop will be provided entitled: "How to discipline without screaming, scolding, and spanking". The format will be a lecture/discussion, role-playing, and video of actual situations. Refreshments will be served and childcare will be provided. Handouts and literature will be provided. Children in childcare will be provided with activities geared toward responding to limits and modulating emotions. At the end of the workshop parents will be able to discuss the impact of spanking on the child's sense of self, state the difference between punishment and discipline, and list 10 things to do instead of spanking.
VACAVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
312 Cernon St., Ste. D, Vacaville, CA 95688
Paula LeDoux, Master Social Worker

Target: All families in Vacaville.

Program: A Parent Fair will be held and open to all families in Vacaville. It will be held at Markham Elementary School, a walking distance for almost all residents. We will feature parenting education speakers giving short lectures on positive discipline and alternatives to corporal punishment. We will provide a meal and have group activities for the children. We plan to solicit door prizes and incentives to encourage attendance from local businesses.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HEAD START
4350 Tower Drive, Sheboygan WI 53081
Julie Perkovich

Target: l40 families enrolled in Head Start

Program: At the parent group meeting, the Family Development Manager will present an informational session on "positive parenting" which will expose parents to alternatives to physical punishment but also begin an informal session on what works and doesn't work in discipline. Materials from Noodle Soup Publications will be distributed as well as l0 Reasons for Not Hitting Children. The material will be sent to all families even if they do not attend. In Head Start's April newsletter, sent to all families in the program, positive discipline will be the topic addressed by the director.

The following Ohio programs were funded with a a grant from the Ohio Children's Trust Fund:

CATHOLIC CHARITIES SERVICES - ASHLAND
1260 S. Center Street, Ashland, OH 44805
Pamela Bugara - Program Coordinator

Target: All interested adults in Ashland County.

Program: A two hour community presentation, held April 30, 2007 to educate adult members of the community, providing information on possible negative effects of physical punishment, behavioral correction and alternative discipline practices with children followed by a question and answer time slot. The goals of the workshop are as follows:
1. Participants will increase their understanding of developmental expectations for children's behavior.
2. Participants will learn new strategies for guiding behavior at different ages and stages of development. Participants will learn about the effects of corporal punishment and will be encouraged to use non-violent alternatives.
To advertise the workshop, we will be using a combination of flyers and brochures, which will be distributed to various local agencies and county schools.
MEDINA CITY SCHOOLS
140 West Washington Street, Medina, OH 44256
Kristine Quallich - Director of Student Services

Target: The entire population of 7588 students in preschool through 12th grade and their parents.

Program: We will send home fliers to the households of our entire school population describing positive discipline strategies and alternative to spanking. We'd also like to set these fliers up in all of our buildings. In addition to this mailing, we will hold a positive discipline at home meeting for parents to attend. We'd like to provide dinner and childcare so that parents are able to attend the meetings.
PUTNAM COUNTY FAMILY & CHILDREN FIRST COUNCIL
124 Putnam Parkway, Ottawa, OH 45875
Amy Sealts - Program Coordinator

Target: Day Care providers, preschool teachers, parents of children age birth to 8, and Putnam County Help Me Grow families.

Program: The Family & Children First Council has contracted with two parenting trainers to be presenters for our Spank Out Day programs. Parents will go to one of two classrooms in the educational service center to participate in a 2 hour program which will include some small group discussion and hands-on activities. Topics to be presented include the "Keys to Caregiving" curriculum for parents of children age birth to three years and "Parenting the Young Child: How to Survive and Thrive" for parents of children ages four to eight. Some of the topics that will be covered include the importance of affection, how to use play as a bonding experience, using reward systems, using time out effectively in place of physical discipline, using praise and motivation and the need for structure and supervision.

All parents will receive handouts from the speakers on positive discipline and positive parenting skills as well as information provided by the Putnam County Department of Job & Family Services on how parents and caregivers can help prevent child abuse/neglect and make a report of abuse/neglect if needed.
GUERNSEY COUNTRY CASA PROGRAM
801 Wheeling Avenue, Cambridge, OH 43725
Jean Stevens - Director

Target: Guernsey county middle school children, their parents and educators.

Program: This year, our program will implement a contest to be carried out by Guernsey County local middle school students. We will first present a program for middle school teachers and administrators on reasons for ending corporal punishment. Our area middle school students will be invited to participate in a contest in which they will be asked to write a one hundred word essay telling us why spanking is not a good form of discipline and to give examples of alternative ways to discipline children other than spanking. The essays will be judged on content, grammar, and originality by member of the Guernsey County CASA advisory board. The winning student's class will be awarded with a pizza and soft drink party sponsored with the funds received from the Mini-grant.
CHILD PROTECTION CENTER OF ROSS COUNTY
138 Marietta Road, Suite E, Chillicothe, OH 45601
Rhonda Kinzer-Carver - Prevention Specialist

Target: Parents, teachers, day care providers, early childhood educators, and anyone with an interest in learning alternatives in discipline.

Program: Parent Caf� is presented in a classroom setting during Kid's Day, an annual fundraiser for the Child Protection Center. Parents are invited to attend while their children are attending classes for Kid's Day.

Parent Caf� will be presenting to parents on positive approaches to discipline and techniques to children's behavior, a distraction between punishment and discipline, and stress-reduction tips with take home material.
PARTNERSHIP FOR VIOLENCE FREE FAMILIES
540 S. Central Avenue, Lima, OH 45804
Donna Dickman - Project Director

Target: Parents of children 0-5 who are clients of Help Me Grow and Head Start.

Program: We will be holding a three-hour event on Saturday, April 28th based upon outer space themed activities. Ohio State University will be contracted to bring their inflatable planetarium where their staff will present four 20-minute sessions. Eight other stations will be available for round robin activities for both parent and child.

Community organizations will be represented with resources for families including DNA ID kits, Children Services information, and our local mental health agency.

Two parent sessions will be held on effective discipline based upon the ACT Against Violence Program with childcare provided. Drawings will be held at both sessions for $25.00 gift cards.
HORIZON ACTIVITIES CENTER
104 Loudon Court
Pat Duesenberry - Director

Target: Parents in the Wilks Villa housing complex will be invited to participate in an open forum discussion with Maureen Mizerak, representative from Conflict Resolution, about alternatives to spanking.

Program: An open discussion forum will be lead by Maureen Mizerak on different approaches to discipline other than spanking. The daycare will also provide child care to participating parents. We will also invite other Horizon Activities employees from other centers to the event giving them an in-service certificate.
ABUSE PREVENTION FUND
540 Rainbow Drive NW, Lancaster, OH 43130
Janice Kobi - Director

Target: Parents school personnel, faith-based groups, media representatives, law enforcement, and social service groups.

Program: We will invite a local parent who appeared on the Super Nanny Show to speak about how she was able to change to positive discipline in her parenting practices.. We will also invite a panel of experts to share ideas on alternatives to corporal punishment.
THE CHILDREN'S HOME OF CINCINNATI
5050 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45227
Carrie Fiasco, MSW, LSW - Adoption and Kinship Supervisor

Target: The target group for this program is kinship providers - primarily grandparents - in Hamilton County, Ohio.

Program: On Thursday, April 26, 2007, we will offer a kinship workshop called "Parenting with Positive Reinforcement" featuring an invited speaker with expertise in this area. This workshop will cover such topics as myths about spanking, establishing family rules, effective uses of time out, offering praise, verbal redirection and other subjects. After completing the training, parents will receive a mat to use with their children as a "time out spot". The training and mat will encourage parents to use alternatives to corporal punishment.
GMN TRI-COUNTY CAC, INC HEAD START/EARLY START
615 North Street, Caldwell, OH 43724
Deborah Brown - Head Start/Early Start Director

Target: The target group for the event/program will be the 479 children and their families enrolled in Head Start, Early Head Start and the Early Learning Initiative Programs as well as the staff for all three programs.

Program: GMN Tri-County CAC, Inc. plans to purchase posters, "Discipline Shouldn't Leave Scars" and pamphlets, "Ten Reasons for Not Hitting". The posters will be displayed during the month of April at GMN Head Start Centers in Guernsey, Monroe, and Noble counties, as well as all other GMN buildings. The pamphlets will be distributed to Head Start/Early Head Start parents at the April Parent Committee Meetings at each Center. Staff will discuss the pamphlet and talk with parents about positive forms of discipline. For parents unable to attend the Parent Committee Meetings, staff will send pamphlets home to parents with an explanation of the pamphlet and what was discussed during the meeting. Teachers will also prepare a lesson to instruct children about nonphysical conflict resolution. This will be presented during the week of April 30, 2007.

CROSSROADS EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES
41 East Erie Street, Lower Level, Painesville, OH 44077
Susan Walsh - Program Coordinator

Target: Crossroads Early Childhood Services will partner in April with the Week of the Young Child, sponsored by the Tri County NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children). The primary focus group will be pregnant women, expectant fathers, and parents of infants, toddlers, pre-school children and teen parents.

Crossroads will also partner with the Department of Jobs and Family Services and share a table to provide information regarding child abuse and neglect and activities for the family.

Program: Crossroads and the Department of Jobs and Family Services will provide information regarding child abuse and neglect as well as stress management techniques. Brochures and handouts will be available and strategies to reduce parents' stress levels can be discussed one on one or in a group format. Hands on activities will be provided through 15 minute intervals in which facilitators will provide interactive ways for parents to learn to de-stress. Facilitators will also provide a variety of activities in which children can also learn to do something positive instead of hitting or biting. Stress balls will be provided to families that stop by the table, temper tantrum mats will be laminated and distributed to children. Mats will be purchased at the area dollar store for families to interact and practice relaxation techniques while attending the event.

CASA/GAL PROGRAM
101 E. Columbia Street, Springfield, OH 45502
Kim Bobst - Program Director

Target: Families in our community

Program: The Clark County Ohio Victim of Crime Act (Voca) funded agencies, Clark County Victim Witness Program, Clark County Child Advocacy Center, Clark County Juvenile Court CASA Program, and Project Woman, will collaborate and conduct a "Safe on Saturday (SOS)" Victim's Rights Awareness Fair. The collaborative is inviting all child-serving agencies to participate in the Fair. The collaborative team will have a 2007 PinWheels for Prevention float at the event. It will also include the Spank Out Day program at the event. This program encourages parents and guardians to use alternative ways of discipline. Literature from the Center will be distributed to participants with an attached evaluation form and a raffle entry. In order to enter the drawing (2- $100 gift certificates) participants must read and provide a completed evaluation.
WOMEN AND FAMILY SERVICES INC; RAPE CRISIS CENTER
508 Wayne Avenue, Defiance, OH 432512
Mellissa Marsberry Prevention Educator

Target: Parents, caregivers, social services agencies, children and teenagers in Defiance, Paulding, Fulton, Henry and Williams Counties.

Program: In a collaborative effort with other social services agencies, we will hold a second annual "Children's Safety Day" with various programs including an informational session for 50 persons, "Is it abuse or discipline?".
CHILD ASSAULT PREVENTION PROJECT OF UNION COUNTY
131 N Main Street, P.O. Box 645, Marysville, OH 43040
Starr Pierce, Coordinator/Board member

Target: Parents/families of children and teens and community agencies

Program: A family event will be held featuring parenting workshops focusing on effective discipline and crafts, games and activities for children with a theme of staying "Safe, Strong and Free".
CRAWFORD COUNTY FAMILY AND CHILDREN FIRST-FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER
117 E Mansfield St (lower level), Bucyrus, OH 44820
Tricia Awbrey, Coordinator

Target: Families in Crawford County and all participants of the Family Resource Center's parenting classes and the families who have participated in the Family and Children's First's Wraparound program.

Program: An evening event is planned where families can spend time together, enjoy themselves through activities, and be educated in a parent workshop focused on parenting and family improvement.
HELP ME GROW
4580 St. Rt. 376 NW, McConnelsville OH 43756
Kathy Potteiger-Project Director

Target: Teen parents with children birth to three years of age.

Program: Service coordinators will inform teen parents about alternative ways to discipline without spanking. Funds will be used to give written information, a guest speaker and other incentives to parents who attend a group meeting.
LAKE COUNTY EDUCATIONAL SERVICE CENTER
30 South Park Place, Suite 320, Painesville, OH 44077
Janis Gallagher, Director, Early Childhood

Target: Parents, guardians, foster parents, family day care providers

Program: A program will be held to teach fundamental attitudes and skills necessary for parenting young children in two half-day workshops.

The focus will be on how to cope with anger and turn negative behaviors into positive situations for both the parent and the child.
GEAUGA COUNTY HELP ME GROW
P.O. Box 309, Chardon, OH 44024
Elizabeth St. James, Family Support

Target: Families of children 0-5 and pregnant women who are part of Geauga County Help Me Grow

Program: A Family Fun Night "Stress Free Family Fun Night" will be held in the evening and will include dinner, games and door prizes along with materials and resources on how not to take stress out on children along with information on positive discipline. From this event, we will start an "I need a break group" for regular monthly parent discussion topics to be led by our family support staff.
CHILD CARE RESOURCES, INC
1580 Adams Lane, Zanesville, OH 43701
Madelyn Connell, Mental Health/Disabilities Mgr.

Target: Head Start families of Muskingum County

Program: "Piecing together a loving community" will take place in the last week in April. Each day one quilt piece will be sent out with each child on alternatives to physical punishment. At the end of the week, parents will be asked to sew together the pieces and display the quilt in their home. During parent meetings in April, alternatives to physical punishment will be discussed and parents will decorate family quilt squares that represent what non-physical punishment means to them. These will be sewn together and displayed at the Head Start site. Tables will be set up at the Wal-Mart with information on SpankOut Day and alternatives to physical punishment on April 28th.
TOWNHALL II
155 North Water St, Kent OH 44240
Heather Lanfranchi, Child Violence Prevention Specialist

Target: children in Kindergarten and lst grade in our community along with their parents.

Program: A two-hour workshop will begin with a family dinner. The parents and children will be divided into two groups for separate sessions. The parent group will include segments from Keeping the Peace from Sunburst Communications. The children's group will include story time reading Hands are not for Hitting and art activities.

International SpankOut Day Events

GLOBAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION -- GLOWA CAMEROON.
2007 NO SPANKING DAY CELEBRATION IN Cameroon.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:

In line with the theme for the year which is Raising Good Kids without Hitting. GLOWA shall be organizing activities in Bamenda, North West Province of Cameroon to raise awareness on child abuse and help parents and guardians to adopt alternative discipline strategies.

Target: The entire Community with focus on Parents and Policy Makers. There are possibilities of getting testimonies from abused children.

Program: There shall presentation of true life stories from abused children, debates and proposals on alternative methods of disciplines tailored to each case of abuse.
1. Three 30 Minutes Radio programs shall be produced and broadcasted during the week to educate parents on the effective use of hands for child up bringing. All parents, guardians, and caregivers shall be encouraged to refrain from hitting children on this day April 30th. Alternative methods of discipline shall be proposed to parents.
2. One honour panel discussion on local Television on the consequences of present discipline practices shall be organized on 30th April.
3. 50 Copies of EPOCH-USA Parent Support and Training materials "Ten Guidelines for Effective Discipline of Children" shall be reproduced and distributed to journalist, political leaders, government department in charge of the family and other policy makers.
Participants in the panel discussion shall discuss the way forward and are expected to come out with a common declaration calling on the government of Cameroon to ensure the effective protection of children in the home, community, schools and/or institutions, etc through a child protection code in Cameroon.
FRANCE

"Hi!
I am the mother of a baby boy of 18 months old, and in our family we have decided to avoid violence, whether it is physical or psychological. We are strongly against spanking and punishing. I have created a website for French parents who are into attachment parenting, which is still a bit unusual in France and I publish lots of texts to help and motivate us." Stephanie

Note: Stephanie will be translating some of our brochures and materials into French for the attachment parenting website.

St�phanie, maman d'Alexandre, 18 mois
WINDSOR, CANADA

We are having a "No Spank Day" event on April 28, plus an information booth at a mall, media appearances, and an children's art project focused on positive aspects of parenting (children nominate their parents).

Note from EPOCH-USA: The Windsor group has been participating for several years and typically has hundreds of persons attending their events.

Dr. Ralph Billingsley, Psychologist
Community Services Pre-Adolescent Program, Windsor Canada
billinsley@wrh.on.ca
NEW ZEALAND

Paula Renouf, PNP Tamaki Healthcare PHO, Lecturer University of Auckland, NZ School of Nursing is posting SpankOut Day information and posters at Maori Health Centers.
TAIWAN

This year, we are planning to hold events on April 29 (Sunday) in the northern, central and southern parts of Taiwan. In Taipei, we will gather more families and organizations from both public and private (profit and non-profit) sectors. The basic idea is to, through various channels provided by those organizations, make this day and its message known to a lot more people this year. The event will include a parade to the SpankOut Day concert where there are booths providing opportunity for families to interact with love and providing information about parenting and about the development of this Day.

Best wishes,
Kim
Secretary for Public Affairs
Humanistic Education Foundation
UNITED KINGDOM

CRIN, the Child Rights Information Network at Save the Children, posted information about SpankOut Day on the CRIN website: www.crin.org/membersnews.
BRAZIL

Communicarte (www.comunicarte.com.br) and NGO Genera are planning the following:
- Send SMS messages to all TIM mobile users across Brazil (in deed, last year we did it in the Northeast Region and over 600.000 users received the messages);
- Messages to about 9.000 truck drivers by satellite system;
- Priests will be briefed by the National Catholic Churches Council to talk about non-violent education during mass at home (we did this last year as well);
- Actions in Shopping Center Norte, in the city of S�o Paulo:
  - A couple of actors and a child will do small presentations about positive educations;
  - The shopping�s sound system will announce messages about positive education;
  - There will be a stand where people will receive a leaflet with non-violent education tips (translated from your material);
  - Some stores could agree in having their sales team using T-shirts regarding Spank Out Day;
  - If possible, messages will be also printed in the parking lot tickets;
- Contact the National Savings Account Bank to get them to print messages on bank statements;
- Gather several organizations through out S�o Paulo to make a civil walk (like a parade) in the biggest city park of the country Parque do Ibirapuera (it levels with Central Park-NY for us);
- Try to get NGOs to do civil walks in the countryside of S�o Paulo State as well;
- Prepare a video for TV channels to reproduce (free of charge). We have very good contacts in TV Globo (the biggest national network in the country) and in TAL -- Latin American Television.
The Democratic Republic of Congo

Monday, April 30th, three cities (Kalundu, Kasenga and Sange) celebrited the Spankout day Eastern of The Democratic Republic of Congo by presenting different events.

MUGUFI TUNANGOJA Flory, Coordinator