Did you know that... • More than 113,000 children are reported as abused or neglected each year in North Carolina? • Approximately 30 children die each year as a result of child abuse? • The majority of children experiencing abuse and neglect are under six years of age?
You Can Help Prevent Child Abuse! • Raise money for child abuse prevention programs by signing up for a Kids First license plate. Your donation will go toward the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund which supports child abuse prevention programs across the state. • Other states have had great success with Kids First license plates. For example, Indiana has raised over $2 million for child abuse prevention activities. As of June 2005, more than 1000 North Carolina Kids First license plates have been produced. • Developed in 2001, the North Carolina Kids First license plate raises awareness about the growing problem of child abuse and neglect. If seeing a Kids First license plate encourages even one person to learn more about child abuse and how to end it, the plates will be a success! If you have additional questions, please call the NC Children’s Trust Fund at 919-807-3852 or visit www.ncpublicschools.org/success/childrenstrust.html.
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Why do we have these license plates? These plates increase the money available for child abuse prevention programs across the state. Also, they give individuals the chance to visibly show their commitment to protecting children and supporting families.
How did the license plate get started? The license plate was introduced in 2001 by the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force as a way to raise funds for child abuse prevention programs. With the support of Senator Kay Hagan (Guilford), the plate was approved through the legislature and the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund was designated as the recipient of the funds.
How do I get a Kids First license plate? Simply print off an application from the DMV website, www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us and return it to the DVM office. You can get a plate when you renew your tag or at any other time during the year.
Will I have to fill out an application every year? Once you have applied for the Kids First license plate you will automatically be registered for the plate every year. However, you will be required to pay the additional $25 each year.
Does the $25 fee go toward my license plate fee? No, $15 is your annual donation to the Children’s Trust Fund and does not count towards your annual license plate renewal fee. The remaining $10 is a processing fee for the plate.
Will my license plate number change with the Kids First plate? Yes, it will have a special numbering system to indicate that it is a Kids First plate.
Can I have a vanity plate with my Kids First plate? Yes, you will have the option of personalizing four spaces because of the special numbering, prefix/suffix, and logo.
Will I be able to keep my license plate if a lease runs out on my car? Yes, your plate can be transferred to a new car.
I just renewed my tag. Will I have to pay again? If you renewed the tag within the last six months, you will only have to pay the $25 Kids First fee.
What if I decide I do not want a Kids First license plate another year? When you receive your annual license plate renewal from the DMV, you will have the option to indicate that you no longer wish to have a Kids First license plate.
K I D S F I R S T L I C E N S E P L AT E S
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Contact: YOUR NAME YOUR TITLE YOUR PHONE NUMBER
Kids First License Plates Support Child Abuse Prevention Efforts DATE – The next time North Carolina citizens renew their license plate tags, (ORGANIZATOIN NAME) urges them to apply for a whole new tag – a Kids First license tag. Using the Kids First license plate offers the public a visible way to show their support of North Carolina’s children. The license plate can be ordered at any time or when a person renews their automobile license plate. This specialized license plate was developed to benefit the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund. Fifteen dollars of the $25 fee goes directly to the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund. Tens of thousands of these children live in our state. In fact, more than 113,000 children are reported as abused or neglected each year. Here in our (COUNTY NAME), (INSERT LOCAL STATISTICS) children were reported as victims of abuse during the past year. “We need to raise the public’s awareness of these distressing statistics,” says (SPOKESPERSON NAME AND TITLE), “and to encourage people to become involved in the prevention of child abuse. One small, but public way of showing your support, is by purchasing the Kids First license plate.” (INSERT OTHER QUOTES AS APPROPRIATE). The funds raised from the Kids First license plates are used to provide grants to programs relating to child abuse prevention activities. Numerous child advocacy efforts, statewide and local nonprofit organizations, and direct-service agencies depend on these funds to help stop child abuse and neglect. The $25 fee is an annual fee due in addition to the regular license fee. To order, please call the Dept. of Motor Vehicles Specialized License Plates Division at 919-861-3575. Order forms are also available at local DMV offices and online at http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us. (INCLUDE A PARAGRAPH ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION’S HISTORY, MISSON, AND GOALS).
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Kids First Campaign
Family Carnival
Work with law enforcement officers, teachers, school athletic directors, childcare professionals, pediatricians, civic groups, faith organizations, and businesses to distribute Kids First flyers throughout the year.
Games, rides, food, and fun – who could resist? Contact local businesses and ask them to sponsor this event with specified monetary donations in return for signage, exhibit space, and mentions in all advertising materials. Distribute Kids First license plate information and brochures.
Essay/Poster Contest Contact local schools and arrange an essay or poster contest. Give the students the theme “Kids First” and provide modest prizes such as trophies or gift certificates. All materials publicizing the event should include information on the Kids First license plates and the Children’s Trust Fund.
Workshops/Trainings Conduct workshops and trainings in your community. Distribute information about the Kids First license plates and the Children’s Trust Fund to all who attend.
Awards Luncheon ponsor a luncheon to honor individuals in your community who work with children and families. Invite the media, provide awards, and recognize the work of your colleagues while publicizing the license plates.
Or … Include information in your organization’s annual report, newsletter, and website. Partner with car dealerships or rental car companies to have information available or use the plates. Ask local grocery stores to print information on their bags. Request that businesses in town display positive flyers and pledge a small percentage of their profits to child abuse prevention efforts. Distribute flyers to all area childcare centers. Ask pediatricians to set up displays in their offices. Work with schools to distribute information to all students and parents. Create displays at public libraries, community festivals, and in post offices. Send letters to the editor and press releases to local media talking about the license plates and your organization. Work with community groups such as Rotary Clubs to distribute flyers. Your activities are only limited by your imagination! Call the Children’s Trust Fund at 919-807-3852 for more information!
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Radio and television stations are mandated by federal law to air a certain number of hours of public service announcements (PSAs) each month. These PSAs can be distributed to local television and radio stations for air throughout the year. Make sure you have a spokesperson available to record the PSAs if the station requests one.
Together We Can Make a Difference PSA - :15 Child abuse is a serious issue in North Carolina. Show you care by getting a Kid’s First license plate. A portion of the proceeds benefit the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund and statewide child abuse prevention efforts. Together we can make a difference. Call (PHONE NUMBER) for more information.
It’s Your License PSA - :20 The North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund and (ORGANIZATION NAME) are dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse and neglect and what each of us can do to help protect children and support families. Call (PHONE NUMBER) to find out how you can get a Kids First license plate and make a difference in your community. It’s your license and your opportunity to care.
Drive With Pride PSA - :30 We all have a role to play in protecting children and supporting families. One easy way to show you care is to support child abuse prevention efforts by purchasing a Kids First license plate. A portion of the proceeds benefit the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund and helps prevent child abuse in our state. (ORGANIZATION NAME) and the Children’s Trust Fund are dedicated to supporting parents, strengthening families, and protecting North Carolina’s children. Drive with pride and let people know you put Kids First! Find out how to get your Kids First license plate by calling (PHONE NUMBER).
K I D S F I R S T L I C E N S E P L AT E S
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
What are the types of child abuse and neglect? Definitions of abuse include physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect (known also as emotional abuse.)
Harm to children can result from: • • • •
Physical injury, such as beatings, burns, and bites. Constant criticism, insults, withholding of love. Rape, fondling of the genitals, incest. The failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, or medical care.
Children who are neglected or emotionally abused may: • Have difficulty learning to talk. • Find it hard to develop close relationships. • Be overly friendly with strangers. • Be unable to play imaginatively. • Think badly of themselves. • Underachieve at school.
Most child abuse occurs in the family home. Parents, siblings, and visitors can all inflict abuse.
Remember: None of these signs prove that child abuse is present, since any of them may be noticeable at one time or another. However, when they occur repeatedly or in combination with one another, the child may be suffering abuse.
How can you tell if a child is being abused?
What can you do to help?
Children who are physically abused may: • Be nervous around adults. • Be watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen. • Have difficulty playing. • Act aggressively towards adults and other children. • Be unable to concentrate at school. • Suddenly underachieve – or overachieve – at school. • Find it difficult to trust other people and make friends. • Arrive at school too early or leave after the other children.
If you suspect a child is being abused, the child must be protected from further abuse. Call your local Division of Social Services, Child Protective Service Department. You will find the number in the front of your phone book. Or call 911.
Who abuses children and where?
Children who are sexually abused may: • Behave differently when the abuse starts. • Care less about their appearance or their health. • Talk or act sexually at too early an age. • Be secretive and stop talking about home life. • Start soiling themselves. • Be unable to sleep. • Suddenly find physical contact frightening. • Run away from home.
To help prevent child abuse, you can: • Be a nurturing parent! • Help a friend, neighbor, or relative if they are having difficulty with their family. • Get involved – advocate for services to help families. • Volunteer at a local child abuse prevention program. • Help to develop parenting resources at your local library or community center. • Get a Kids First license plate! • Support all of the parents in your community.
For more information about how to recognize and report child abuse in North Carolina, please call 1-800-CHILDREN or visit www.preventchildabusenc.org.
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CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
113,557 children* were reported as abused or neglected (SFY 2003-2004) 27,310 of these children were confirmed as victims** 30 children died from child abuse homicide during the 2003 calendar year*** Number of Children Reported as Abused or Neglected
Ages of Children Reported
Child Abuse Homicides
For more information, call 1-800-CHILDREN or visit www.preventchildabusenc.org. Data is provided by the NC Department of Human Resources, Division of Social Services, Central Registry Reports on Child Abuse, Neglect, and Dependency. Data reflected is for state fiscal year 2003-2004 unless otherwise noted. *The total number of reported children represents unduplicated counts of children. ** This number does not include children found in need of services in the 50 MRS counties. ***Data from the NC Child Fatality Prevention Team.
G E T Y O U R S T O D AY ! What Is It? • A specialized license plate that benefits the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund. • A chance for you to join in the fight against child abuse and neglect.
Why Order One? • To support the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund – Each order adds $15 to the Trust Fund, which in turn, provides grant money to organizations implementing child abuse prevention programs. • To promote Child Advocacy – Drive with pride and let people see you put Kids First!
How Do You Get It? The $25 fee is an annual fee due in addition to the regular license fee. To order, please call the Department of Motor Vehicles Specialized License Plate Division at 919-861-3575. Order forms are also available at local DMV offices and on the DMV website at http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us.
For more information, please contact the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund at 919-807-3852 or visit www.ncpublicschools.org/success/childrenstrust.html
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
G E T Y O U R S T O D AY ! What Is It? • A specialized license plate that benefits the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund. • A chance for you to join in the fight against child abuse and neglect.
Why Order One? • To support the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund – Each order adds $15 to the Trust Fund, which in turn, provides grant money to organizations implementing child abuse prevention programs.
How Do You Get It? The $25 fee is an annual feed due in addition to the regular license fee. To order, please call the Department of Motor Vehicles Specialized License Plate Division at 919-861-3575. Order forms are also available at local DMV offices and on the DMV website at http://www.dmv.dot.state.nc.us.
For more information, please visit www.ncpublicschools.org/success/childrenstrust.html
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
G E T Y O U R S T O D AY !
G E T Y O U R S T O D AY !
This specialized license plate benefits the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund, which in turn, provides grant money to organizations implementing child abuse prevention programs.
This specialized license plate benefits the North Carolina Children’s Trust Fund, which in turn, provides grant money to organizations implementing child abuse prevention programs.
To order, please call the DMV at 919-861-3575 or print off an order form from the DMV website at http://www.dmv.dot.state. nc.us.
To order, please call the DMV at 919-861-3575 or print off an order form from the DMV website at http://www.dmv.dot.state. nc.us.
For more information, please visit www.ncpublicschools.org/ success/childrenstrust.html
For more information, please visit www.ncpublicschools.org/ success/childrenstrust.html
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!