KINGSPORT — Healthy Kingsport and the Sullivan County Regional Health Department partnered to host a luncheon on Friday aimed at raising awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The event, held at the Kingsport Chamber, brought together community members and organizations that support children and families affected by abuse.
Desteny Clemons, director of Healthy Kingsport, said 24 people signed up for the luncheon, which focused on educating the public about local resources available to help children in need.
“We wanted to make sure people in the community know there are agencies actively working to prevent child abuse,†Clemons said. “It’s not as simple as reporting it and someone getting arrested; there’s a whole process, and several organizations help kids when they need it the most.â€
Representatives from Isaiah 117 House, the Children’s Advocacy Center and CASA for Kids spoke about their missions, how they support children and families, and their efforts to prevent abuse.
The Child Advocacy Center also gave a presentation on recognizing signs of child abuse and how to report it, providing valuable information for school counselors, family liaisons, principals, daycare workers, parents and anyone who has regular contact with children.
Gena Frye, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, highlighted how changes in technology have created new vulnerabilities for children, especially when caregivers like grandparents or great-grandparents may not be familiar with online risks.
“It opens our kids up to perpetrators online,†Frye said. “That’s why our center works to support not just children, but their caregivers too.â€
She said the Children’s Advocacy Center’s mission is to combat child abuse and minimize trauma by providing and coordinating supportive services to children and their families in a caring environment.
The center also provides prevention education in schools and churches, offering child abuse prevention classes for students and training programs for adults, such as the “Stewards of Children†program. The training is free and helps organizations become certified safe places in Tennessee.
Through school partnerships with Kingsport City, Bristol City and Sullivan County Schools, the Children’s Advocacy Center also offers the Monique Burr Foundation’s “Safety Matters†personal safety lessons.
Frye noted the program’s success in teaching young students important safety principles, even during busy times like the week before Christmas break.
“In one school, the kids remembered all the safety lessons after months away due to snow closures, that’s how powerful this program is,†Frye said.
Isaiah 117 House, which opened its Sullivan County location in August 2020, provides a safe home for children awaiting foster care placement. Instead of waiting in offices, children stay in a comforting environment where they receive new clothes, meals and emotional support. The home also supports foster families during the transition process.
CASA for Kids, Inc., established in Kingsport in 1991, assigns trained Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA volunteers, to cases of abused or neglected children in Sullivan and Hawkins counties, said Shannon Kern, executive director of CASA.
These advocates work under the direction of juvenile courts to ensure children’s best interests are represented, aiming to provide safety, stability and permanency. CASA for Kids also offers training programs for new volunteers and conducts community fundraisers to support its mission.
In addition to the luncheon, Healthy Kingsport promoted a “Wear Blue Fridays†campaign throughout April to spread awareness. Community members, school systems, businesses and local organizations were encouraged to wear blue every Friday and share photos on social media.
“Last year was the first time we did this after I visited Niswonger Children’s Hospital and saw pinwheels planted everywhere,†Clemons said. “I learned that the pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, and blue is the color for the cause. We decided to bring that idea back to Kingsport.â€
At least one in seven children in the U.S. have experienced child abuse or neglect in the past year, according to a release from the Kingsport Chamber. Healthy Kingsport hopes to help combat these issues locally by breaking barriers for children and families.
Clemons said the three goals for the luncheon were to educate, donate and appreciate — educating the public about child abuse prevention, encouraging donations to local organizations and showing appreciation for those working to protect children.
Those who attended the event donated diapers and clothes for teens, among other things.
