NAMI to host child abuse and neglect educator

GUILFORD — On Wednesday, May 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Guilford Memorial Library, the NAMI Family and Friends Support Group will host Stephen Madera, child abuse and neglect educator. He will speak about positive ways everyone can promote children’s well-being to prevent child maltreatment.

The Penquis Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Council, known as the C.A.N. Council, has offered parent education trainings through other existing Penquis programs for 15 years. The no-cost services are designed to support and help families be successful through parent education, training for professionals, child safety, public awareness activities and referrals to services. Everyone can prevent maltreatment and neglect by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children. The C.A.N. Council partners with other agencies and programs working with families to increase access to resources. The goal of all such opportunities is to provide connection and support for children, their families, and community members.

The presentation at NAMI will allow parents, professionals and community members to learn how they can participate in any one of these free program activities.

Madera is particularly suited for the role as a C.A.N. Council Educator. He has worked with at-risk youth since 1987 in the field of experiential education. He was an Outward Bound instructor and program coordinator for the LifeJacket program. Since 2006, he worked as a batter intervention educator at the Charlotte White Center. Madera enjoys outdoor recreational activities such as dog sledding, using this passion in his own Song of the Woods dogsled adventures program.

For more information about the presentation, please call 924-7903.