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Prevention Through Partnership
“Prevention happens in partnership” is a phrase often repeated by the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse America (PCAA), Dr. Melissa Merrick. As the Colorado chapter of PCAA these words rang especially true for us at Illuminate Colorado in 2021. As we began to...
Staff Pick
The Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families Launches Website
The Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families has launched a website at www.COPartershipForThrivingFamilies.org to create space to work collaboratively across the State of Colorado to create the conditions for strong families and communities where children are...
Social Distancing & Social Connection: Finding Balance Through Yoga
We invite you, right here, to take one hand on your heart, and one on your belly. - Can you feel your breath in your hands? Perhaps this is the first time you have paid attention to your breath all day? What does it feel like to just take a few breaths in the middle...
Deadline to Submit Proposals Extended for Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference
Illuminate Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services, will host the 2020 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference in Pueblo, CO from September 28-30, 2020. The deadline to submit proposals has been extended to...
Advocates Begin Campaign to Strengthen Families During the COVID-19 Public Health Crisis
Today, Illuminate Colorado, in coordination with Prevent Child Abuse America, and other state and local community partners throughout Colorado, begins a month-long nationwide awareness and impact campaign: “Everyone Can Make Great Childhoods Happen—Especially You,...
Thank you 9NEWS morning anchor Corey Rose for Illuminating Media
The media plays such a big part in shaping the environments in which we are raising our children. Illuminate Colorado would like to recognize 9NEWS and Corey Rose with the 2020 inaugural Illuminating Media Award for helping to build brighter childhoods. Four months...
Policy Implications of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic is presenting unprecedented challenges for families, organizations, and communities across the world. Children and families must be supported as our state and federal government weigh potential solutions. The Colorado Supreme Court will decide...
Follow Up on Conversation to Keep Families Strong during COVID-19
Thanks to the almost 300 people who joined together for a conversation this week on Keeping Families Strong during COVID-19. As a result of everyone who contributed by sharing ideas and resources, we have compiled a resource list linked below. Future Opportunities to...
Parents, we need to connect with each other.
Parents, we're only human. Under normal circumstances, we are under all kinds of stress trying to raise small humans to reach their full potential as adults. It is a lot of pressure and the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis has caused everything to change. School, work,...
Keeping Families Strong during COVID-19 – IMPORTANT UPDATE
In this unprecedented and uncertain time, we wanted to share updates on our work to keep families strong in the age of COVID-19. We recognize that the added stress of the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Colorado, the closure of schools and child care services and...
Illuminate Colorado makes adjustments to reflect the ongoing support and health for our employees and the communities we serve.
As you can imagine, as an organization that works to strengthen families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment, we are beginning to face many difficult decisions. Based on information we have reviewed, including the close monitoring of local and...
It is important to raise awareness and promote positive messages now more than ever.
We recognize that the added stress of the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Colorado, the closure of schools and child care services and social distancing places children and families at greater risk for toxic stress and child maltreatment. We need to support each...
A Busy Week at the Capitol
This week, four different Illuminate policy priorities had important next steps--hearings and budget figure setting votes. Illuminate staff proudly testified in strong support of each of the bills below: The Helping Colorado Families Get Ahead Act: On Tuesday,...
Illuminate Colorado hosts first of several town halls on FASD in Pueblo
The first of four roadshow events was held at the Arc of Pueblo, co-hosted by Illuminate Colorado, this week. These events, made possible through a mini-grant by the National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD), are designed to increase awareness around...
2020 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference Call for Proposals Announced
Illuminate Colorado, in partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services, will host the 2020 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference in Pueblo, CO from September 28-30, 2020. The 2020 conference, highlighting ways to build...
Policy Changes Protecting Children of ANY Age in School from Sexual Misconduct
It is up to all of us to ensure that children and adults do not experience sexual assault. According to the U.S. Department of Education, an estimated 1 in 10 students will experience sexual misconduct by a school employee by the time they graduate from high school....
Policy Changes Protecting Children of ANY Age in School from Sexual Misconduct
It is up to all of us to ensure that children and adults do not experience sexual assault. According to the U.S. Department of Education, an estimated 1 in 10 students will experience sexual misconduct by a school employee by the time they graduate from high school....
Join us at Speak Up for Kids Day at the Capitol March 12th
Do you want to join us in making the prevention of child maltreatment a priority at the Colorado State Capitol? Illuminate Colorado is excited to join our friends at the Colorado Children’s Campaign, Clayton Early Learning and Children’s Hospital Colorado,...
Colorado Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Coalition Meets in March
The Colorado Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Coalition exists to promote effective and comprehensive education, advocacy, and communication to prevent child sexual abuse and protect children. At the next meeting, the coalition will review the draft public opinion...
Are you an engaging extrovert who can help promote prevention in your community?
Get prepared to get out into the community during child abuse prevention month, and all year-long, to give presentations to your local rotary, community cafes, chamber of commerce or church! One of the best ways to gain understanding of what it's like to experience...
Ten ways you can randomly help someone trying to raise a human in this world.
It’s hard out there for a parent. Whether you are trying to learn all the developmental milestones, navigating pick ups and drop offs or watching your teenager navigate the trials and tribulations of high school, it is stressful. But, if you know someone raising a...
Maintaining Financial Supports for Colorado Families
An important bill passed its first committee with unanimous support in the Colorado legislature this week: SB20-029 Helping Families Access Federal Income Supports. Illuminate Colorado, the state affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America, is proud to support the...
Maintaining Financial Supports for Colorado Families
An important bill passed its first committee with unanimous support in the Colorado legislature this week: SB20-029 Helping Families Access Federal Income Supports. Illuminate Colorado, the state affiliate of Prevent Child Abuse America, is proud to support the...
Facebook Joins Oscars in Rejecting Postpartum Support Ad Because it “Goes against the Facebook Rules on Nudity or Sexual Activity”
Over the weekend a commercial that focused on the “real” experiences of postpartum women began to go viral on social media and parenting blogs after the Academy Awards rejected airing the ad calling the ad "too graphic." We went straight to the source on YouTube to...
April Child Abuse Prevention Month toolkit available today!
Over the years the collaborative effort to raise awareness for the prevention of child abuse in Colorado has grown exponentially thanks to hundreds of local organizations and individuals working together at the local, state and national levels. This year, we are...
Supporting Families Impacted by Substance Use During Pregnancy
Yesterday evening, Colorado’s Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed SB20-28, the Substance Use Disorder Recovery bill, with a vote of 3-2. This bill does so much to expand substance use disorder recovery services throughout the state. What many may not...
FAMLI Friday: Help Make Paid Family and Medical Leave a Reality in Colorado
It’s FAMLI Friday, a weekly call to action to advocate for an affordable, adequate, and accessible paid family and medical leave program. We’ve crunched the numbers, we know that social insurance model offers the most time and coverage for workers. Paid family and...
A Step Forward to Support Families Impacted by Substance Use
As the Colorado legislature finishes their first full week of the year, bills to better support families impacted by substance use are already beginning their journey through the legislative process. Five bills from the Interim Opioid and Other Substance Use Disorders...
Planning for Child Abuse Prevention Month – Update
Illuminate Colorado is leading a planning process to align efforts at the national, state and local levels to raise awareness for the prevention of child abuse in 2020. Reach out to us if you’d like to: get more involved in planning or brainstorming community outreach...
Outlining a legislative agenda that prevents child maltreatment in Colorado.
Based on the State of the State address from Governor Polis this week and countless media articles including comments from both sides of the aisle, everyone agrees - for Colorado to remain one of the healthiest economies in the country we need to work together to...
Planning for Child Abuse Prevention Month – Update
Thank you to those folks who joined us last month to brainstorm ideas and align efforts at the national, state and local levels to raise awareness for the prevention of child abuse in 2020. We’ve scheduled two additional work group meetings in the new year to follow...
Do Colorado elected officials know you care about paid leave?
For Colorado to remain one of the healthiest economy’s in the country we need to work together to build brighter childhoods. That iswhy establishing a statewide paid family and medical leave program for individuals to care for themselves and their families is among...
Illuminate Colorado to receive $630,000 Contract For Innovative Child Care Pilot at Addiction Treatment Services Programs
Open Minds reports today, Illuminate Colorado Awarded $430,000 Contract For Addiction Treatment Pilot Program, ultimately the final total contract amount will be just under $630,000. “We are very excited to continue to advance innovative child care services in...
Something good happened in Washington D.C. last week.
New Senate Bill Will Help Children and Adults Living with FASD Last Monday, the Advancing FASD Research, Prevention, and Services Act, S. 2879, was introduced in the U.S. Senate. This new legislation would authorize comprehensive Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders...
Colorado Leaders Recognized for Efforts to Prevent Child Maltreatment
Illuminate Colorado recognized several Colorado leaders for their instrumental roles in preventing child maltreatment in Colorado over the last year. Illuminate Colorado (Illuminate) is a statewide nonprofit organization building brighter childhoods through education,...
April Child Abuse Prevention Month Planning Meeting
Believe it or not, it is time to start planning for next April! We are looking forward to exploring ways to support national, state, and local organizations in aligning communications efforts and building communications capacity within Colorado to strengthen families...
Parent groups popping up all over Colorado!
As parents, having a network of people who make you feel respected, appreciated and supported is critical, but finding friends like that as an adult doesn’t always happen naturally. That is why Illuminate is encouraging organizations and parents to start and join...
Illuminate Colorado Receives Partner in Prevention Designation Award
Illuminate Colorado has achieved Partner in Prevention status, a designation awarded by the nonprofit Darkness to Light to organizations which take extra steps to protect the children they serve by training staff to understand the issue of child sexual abuse, identify...
ECLC Communications Guidelines for Engaging Parents & Caregivers
Thoughtful and strategic communication with parents and caregivers is critical to providing information and resources to help them as they make the best choices to support the children in their care. To aid early childhood professionals in creating communication...
Interested in preventing child sexual abuse in Colorado? – This is a great way to get involved.
The Colorado Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Coalition exists to promote effective and comprehensive education, advocacy, and communication to prevent child sexual abuse and protect children. Anyone with an interest in child sexual abuse prevention, please join us! We...
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Mini Grant Announcement
In partnership with the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Early Childhood, Illuminate Colorado is awarding mini grants to support approved curricula to prevent child sexual abuse on a rolling basis until all funds are expended. All trainings must be...
Help Create a Quality Paid Family and Medical Leave Program for Colorado.
Colorado will be a stronger place to raise a family, and a business, if our state finds a path forward to creating a quality paid family and medical leave program. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) is currently collecting comments to determine the...
Help Create a Quality Paid Family and Medical Leave Program for Colorado.
Colorado will be a stronger place to raise a family, and a business, if our state finds a path forward to creating a quality paid family and medical leave program. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) is currently collecting comments to determine the...
It is difficult to be experts in all things, to all families.
ILLUMINATE COLORADO CAN FACILITATE AND PROVIDE EXPERT CASE CONSULTATION ON COMPLEX CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CASES ACROSS COLORADO WITHIN AS LITTLE AS 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS IF NECESSARY. This week, the Colorado Department of Human Services announced, due to a...
Media outlets can help respond to crisis and prevent child maltreatment.
Media coverage plays an important part in strengthening families and protecting children in Colorado. Recent news coverage of a new mom who left the hospital with her infant, believed to be endangered, brings to light the way families and substance use are often...
llluminate is focused on growing Circle of Parents® in Colorado
Community creates brighter childhoods. Parents with a social network of emotionally supportive friends, family, and neighbors often find that it is easier to care for their children and themselves. All parents need people they can call on once in a while when they...
Illuminate urges Department of Housing and Urban Development to withdraw proposed changes
Illuminate Colorado provided public comment in the form of a statement this week in response to a Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) proposed changes in rule regarding "verification of eligible status,” published in the Federal Register on May 10,...
Take 5 minutes to help build a toxicology guide for Colorado child protection professionals
The Colorado Department of Human Services has commissioned Illuminate Colorado to develop an educational resource to aid case workers in understanding toxicology and the practical application on decision making. Gathering input at the onset of this project is...
Illuminate Colorado 2019 Policy Priorities & Legislative Summary
Preventing child maltreatment encompasses a vast number of issues for children, families and communities. Improvements in resources that all families can draw upon in the community to raise their children help prevent child maltreatment. By this measure the passage of...
It’s amazing what we can for kids in Colorado when we work together.
During the month of April, Illuminate Colorado. the Colorado chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, works with partners across the state on the Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign to inspire a conversation to create brighter childhoods in Colorado. Thank you to the...
MEDIA ADVISORY: Pinwheels for Prevention Giveaway at the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
Illuminate Colorado celebrates happy, healthy childhoods and the end of Child Abuse Prevention Month WHAT: Illuminate Colorado has distributed nearly 50,000 pinwheels this month to spark conversations centered on how communities can strengthen families. The...
Behavioral health supports for high-risk families may get a real boost this legislative session.
Services and policies that help strengthen families, prevent abuse and neglect, aid caregivers struggling with adversity, and promote positive interactions within families and caregivers help kids develop their potential. It is critical that Colorado meet the needs of...
Colorado Birthing Hospital Providers Gather to Improve Outcomes for Women and Newborns Impacted by Opioids
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DENVER, COLORADO (January 31, 2019) — Over eighty clinicians from NICUs and Mom and Baby Units and partners from around the state gathered at the Colorado Hospital Substance Exposed Newborns (CHoSEN) Collaborative Winter Forum in Denver on...
The Holidays are Upon Us
Woman hands in winter gloves Heart symbol shaped Lifestyle and Feelings concept with sunset light nature on background The holidays are upon us which for many means spending time with family and friends, and enjoying the season together. This time of year presents a...
FASD Awareness Month Recap
by Karl Nadon & Jillian Adams September marks the time of the year where FASD awareness, education, and community collaboration comes to the forefront, and this year was certainly no different. This September Illuminate not only hosted a BreakFASD event but also...
The Inaugural Illuminate Colorado Leadership Awards
At the recent 2018 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference, three Coloradans and one Colorado-based foundation received awards for their work strengthening Colorado families. Awardees include: Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman, Colorado...
Inaugural Illuminate Colorado Strengthening Families Leadership Awards Recognize Coloradans Preventing Child Maltreatment
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE VAIL, COLORADO (September 26, 2018) — At the 2018 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference, three Coloradans and one Colorado-based foundation received awards for their work strengthening Colorado families. Awardees...
The Impact on Children of Caregiver Substance Use: Recommendations for Policy & Practice
Nationally, the opioid epidemic has been declared a public health emergency and communities and families across Colorado are feeling the effects of this crisis, as well as the effects of other substances being used and misused across our state. As attention and...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: #Pinwheels4Prevention Photo Contest Winners
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Illuminate Colorado will be highlighting some of our statewide child abuse prevention partners in a new blog series. Follow along and learn about the different ways that individuals and organizations engage in CAP Month around...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: Colorado’s Child Welfare Training System
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Illuminate Colorado will be highlighting some of our statewide child abuse prevention partners in a new blog series. Follow along and learn about the different ways that individuals and organizations engage in CAP Month around...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: Broomfield Early Childhood Council
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Illuminate Colorado will be highlighting some of our statewide child abuse prevention partners in a new blog series. Follow along and learn about the different ways that individuals and organizations engage in CAP Month around...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: Alliance for Kids
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Illuminate Colorado will be highlighting some of our statewide child abuse prevention partners in a new blog series. Follow along and learn about the different ways that individuals and organizations engage in CAP Month around...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: Kappa Delta at Colorado State University
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Illuminate Colorado will be highlighting some of our statewide child abuse prevention partners in a new blog series. Follow along and learn about the different ways that individuals and organizations engage in CAP Month around...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: Denver Human Services
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Illuminate Colorado will be highlighting some of our statewide child abuse prevention partners in a new blog series. Follow along and learn about the different ways that individuals and organizations engage in CAP Month around...
CAP Month Partner Highlight: Ralston House
Ralston House has been participating in Child Abuse Prevention Month and engaging their community in CAP Month activities for 5 years. They focus their efforts on attending city council meetings in their service areas for Child Abuse Prevention Month...
What You Need to Know About Marijuana & Child Safety in 2018
Marijuana legalization in Colorado has provided an additional layer of complexity to the issue of child safety and substance use. As more state governments consider marijuana legalization, figuring out how to address this intersection is becoming a priority...
Spotlight Interview with a Parent Leader
February is Parent Leadership Month, a time focused on honoring parents for their leadership roles both at home and in their communities. In our mission to build stronger families, Illuminate Colorado has embraced parent leadership as a key aspect of our Circle of...
Self-Care & Recovery During the Holiday Season
As the holiday rush stretches across communities, parents across Colorado are faced with increased pressure to give their children a festive holiday experience. Holiday stressors can include increasingly busy schedules, social expectations to buy gifts and holiday...
Moving Practice Forward: Addressing Prenatal Substance Exposure
PARTICIPANTS OF THE SUBSTANCE EXPOSED NEWBORNS SUMMIT ENGAGED IN TABLE DISCUSSION--NOVEMBER 2ND, 2017 To give Colorado newborns the healthiest start possible, we need to address prenatal substance exposure and its effects on children and families. Use of any substance...
An Adult’s Responsibility
Over the past few weeks, multiple incidents of adult misconduct against children have appeared in the media. It is these types of situations that bring attention to an issue that is all too pervasive in our communities. As adults, we can work together to prevent...
