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The Child Abuse Prevention Month Action Committee invites every community to take action for children by "Building a Blue Ribbon Tree". The blue ribbon is the international sign for child abuse prevention and serves as a constant reminder that all of us have a responsibility to help keep children safe.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) along with various community organizations will display pictures of the trees and their sponsor information during Child Abuse Prevention Month at the State Capitol in April 2009. Last year's theme, "It Only Takes a Minute . to make a difference in the life of a child," will be used again this year.

A "Tree Registry" form is provided for people and organizations to register their trees with the OSDH Office of Child Abuse Prevention where photo entries will be put into a PowerPoint scrapbook with music to be shown at the state capitol. To participate, trees must be completed and registered before April 14, 2009. The registration form is also available to print from the OSDH Web site at http://fsps.health.ok.gov .

To "Build a Blue Ribbon Tree," select any materials you choose. If using a living tree, choose a highly visible location and secure needed permission. Creativity is encouraged. Decorate tree with blue ribbons to represent any of the following:

- The confirmed number of abused and neglected children in your county
- The number of new babies born in your community
- Or to show your community's support for children, or something important to your organization, agency, program, or community
Mail, fax or e-mail completed form to: Sherie Trice, OSDH Community Based Child Abuse Prevention Grant Coordinator, Oklahoma State Department of Health, Family Support and Prevention Service, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73117-1299, phone 405-271-7611, Fax 405-271-1011, or e-mail SherieT@health.ok.gov .


TREE REGISTRY
Build a Blue Ribbon Tree in Your Community


Please complete the information below to register your tree or trees for Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Name of Group or Organization:___________________________________________________

Contact Person: _______________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

County: _____________________________________________________________________

Telephone:______________________________Fax:__________________________________

E-Mail: ______________________________________________________________________

Number of Blue Ribbon Trees: "Live? __________ or "Your Own Creation?_________

Location of Blue Ribbon Trees: ____________________________________________________
Example: Court House, Main Street, High School, Grade School, etc.


What Do Your Blue Ribbons Represent: _____________________________________________
Example: # of Abused/Neglected Children in your County, # of New Babies in your Community, Blue Ribbons for support of all children, etc.

Trees must be completed and registered PRIOR to April 14th. Please e-mail pictures of your completed trees to: SherieT@health.ok.gov . Photos will be displayed at the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 14th for Child Abuse Prevention Day at the Capitol. Please mail, fax or e-mail completed form to:

Sherie Trice, M.S., CCPS
CBCAP Grant Coordinator
Family Support and Prevention Service
Oklahoma State Department of Health
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73117-1299
Phone: 405-271-7611
Fax: 405-271-1011
SherieT@health.ok.gov