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COLUMBUS — The March 21 regular meeting for the Greater Colorado Valley Wellness Council featured presentations on several topics from child abuse awareness to the improvement of Colorado County transportation.
The Wellness Council has been recognizing Child Abuse Awareness month throughout March. Psychotherapist Clinical Social Worker Kim Poré presented some of the signs of child abuse such as:
•Unexplained changes in behavior or personality.
•Becoming withdrawn.
•Seeming anxious.
•Becoming uncharacteristically aggressive.
•Lacks social skills and has few friends, if any.
•Poor bond or relationship with a parent.
•Knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age.
•Running away or going missing.
•Always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body.
•Unexplained bruises or injuries These signs alone do not mean that the child is experiencing abuse, but these are just a few examples that may hint at potential abuse. The long-term effects of child abuse can lead to learning problems, depression, anxiety and other symptoms that can add difficulties to children as they age.
Several other presenters such as Texas Family and Protective Services department member Chimezie Eke and Advocate Supervisor Danielle DeCoste for Court Appointed Special Advocates for children.
For those looking to make a call to the Texas Abuse Hotline can use the emergency number at 1-800-252-5400 or visit www.txabusehotline.org for non-emergency concerns.
The council listened to a presentation by Texas A&M doctoral student Jennifer S. Ramirez-Chavarria who also functions as the Vice President for the Needs Assessment department. Ramirez-Chavarria leads a group of A&M students who are assessing the transportation needs in Colorado County.
They are looking to have individuals and organizations fill out their survey to accurately denote some of the needs in the county. The survey can be found online at https://tamu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5BH7bUu2SQStYou?Q_CHL=qr The Wellness Council will meet again on Thursday, April 11 to discuss substance abuse and addiction at noon in the Colorado County Courthouse. The council will host a special guest on May 9 as Dr. Vernon Johnson comes to discuss post-traumatic stress disorder.
