This year Southern Ute Indian Tribe’s Division of Social Services is once again sponsoring the Fun Color Run event which will be held Wednesday, April 24, at the Ignacio Middle School. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. and all families, youth, and community are invited to come! The Division is sponsoring several events during the month, including the CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION Kick Off event that was held on Friday, April 5 at the Southern Ute Museum. Tribal Council was in attendance. Acting Director Angelina Whitehorse welcomed the community. Chairman Christine Sage welcomed the community as well and read the Proclamation. Many other leaders were also called upon in the community to speak, Yellow Jacket was called on to sing for the children. The Division would like to thank all who attended, supported, donated and volunteered for the event.

 

In support of our children and families, here are some tips on KEEPING YOUR FAMILY STRONG:

 

Every family has strengths, and every family faces challenges. When you are under stress—the car breaks down, you or your partner lose a job, dealing with difficult behaviors of your child, a restless baby, or even when the family is experiencing a positive change, such as moving into a new home, or adding a new family member to the mix—sometimes it takes a little extra help to get through the day. Protective factors are the strengths and resources that families draw on when life gets difficult. Building on these strengths is a proven way to keep the family strong and enhance child well-being. This tip list describes key protective factors and some simple ways you can build these factors in your own family.

 

1. Nurture and attachment: Take time at the end of each day to connect with your children by hugging, smiling, or a few minutes of listening and talking. Find ways to engage: cooking dinner, reading a book, talking and asking questions about their day.

 

2. Parental Resilience: Parents, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF — reenergize, take a bath, write, laugh, physical exercise, walk, share your feelings with someone you trust, surround yourself with people who support you and make you feel positive about yourself.

 

3. Social Connections: Participate in community events, find a spiritual/cultural place to find support and connection, volunteer in your local community.

 

4. Social and Emotional Competence of Children: Provide regular routines, especially for young children. Make sure everyone who cares for your child is aware of your routines around mealtimes, naps, and bedtime. Talk with your children about how important feelings are. Teach and encourage children to solve problems independently in age-appropriate ways.

 

5. Know your limits and boundaries: When you are feeling overwhelmed, ASK FOR HELP, when you are feeling tired, ASK FOR HELP, when your feeling frustrated, ASK FOR HELP. The best way to care for your children is to acknowledge your limits and ask for help, because as parents, we always need to be emotionally available to our children, as well as physically, mentally, and spiritually strong for them. The best way to provide that is taking care of yourself as parent. Your children need you to take care of yourself!