Books (click on the title to purchase from Amazon.com)

	The Berenstain Bears Think of Those in Need (First Time Books(R)) by Stan and Jan Berenstain, 1999. The Bear family learns about simplifying their life and what is most important. They decide to go through their home and give away many items that they don’t really need to people who need them more. 4-7 year olds The Rag Coat by Lauren A. Mills, Illustrated by Dennis Nolan, 1991. This book tells the story of children who learn a lesson after teaching a girl for wearing “rags.” It teaches the importance of friendship, community building, and accepting others. 6-9 year olds The Table Where Rich People Sit by Byrd Baylor and Illustrated by Peter Parnall, 1998. Mountain Girl learns that there are more things to life than only what money alone can buy. She and her family – with their simple, non-materialistic lifestyle - are indeed rich. 6-9 year olds Tadpole by Ruth White. In this fictional tale taking place in the South, the four Collins’ girls encounter positive changes in their life when their cousin Tadpole lives with them in order to escape an abusive uncle. 8-12 year olds Ask Me No Questions by Ann Schlee, 1982. Laura tries to help neglected children in the English countryside in the 1840s. Age 10 Racing the Past by Sis Deans. Ricky and his brother have lived with a violent father who is killed in a car accident. Some rough language, a story of surviving during tough times. Ages 12 and up Don't Hurt Laurie (Aladdin Fiction) by Willo Davis Roberts and Illustrated By Ruth Sanderson. The story of a girl named Laurie who is abused by her mother “Annabelle.” She has not had the courage earlier to tell anyone what has gone on. Young Adult readers

 Web Resources

Massachusetts Adoption and Foster Family
This link has resources and further information for families interested in becoming a foster home in the state of Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Foster Care FAQs
The Massachusetts’ DSS (Department of Social Services) website contains more information and Frequently Asked Questions about becoming a foster family.

The Home for Little Wanderers
Visit this link for information about adoption services provided by The Home for Little Wanderers in Massachusetts.

NationalCenter for Children in Poverty
They have resources and research about children in poverty in the United States. Affiliated with ColumbiaUniversity in New York.

MENTORING
This organization has many resources about mentoring youth and children, including a search feature that helps people locate an organization in their area where they can mentor. Not all mentoring programs allow for families to volunteer together, as many are one to one matches.

Safe Kids
Safe Kids is the first national non-profit organization dedicated to educating parents, teachers, and kids about unintentional injuries. It includes many resources and activities teaching tips to keep children safe.

Safety Kids, Inc.
This website is a great resource for parents, educators, and children teaching them about safety issues. There are tips for kids, parents, and teachers. It highlights the fact that safe kids check first with parents and trusted adults. They do not focus on avoiding “strangers” because 85% of abuse, exploitation, and child molestation occurs from someone the child knows. There is also additional curriculum and information available when you contact safety kids.

Childhelp USA
Childhelp USA serves abused and neglected children through programs such as their National Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-4-A-CHILD®, treatment facilities, child advocacy centers, group homes, child abuse prevention, education and training programs. Also visit this website for more information about becoming a foster family (in Arizona, southern California, Michigan, New York, Tennessee, and Virginia).

    http://www.childhelpusa.org/pdf/signs.pdf
    Signs and symptoms of child abuse.

Visit the following website link for a map of the rate of child victims by state in 2003.
http://nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/factsheets/canstats.cfm
Source: “Child Maltreatment 2003.” Chapter 3: Victims. US Department of Health and Human Services - Administration for Children and Families.

Prevent Child Abuse America
National organization working to raise support and awareness for child abuse prevention. They have information about conferences, their networks, and advocacy work they do. There are opportunities to order a blue armband to raise awareness as well as visit their map to connect with state partners in the majority of the states.

Massachusetts Citizens for Children
The programs they have work together to protect the most vulnerable children in Massachusetts.

http://www.smith-lawfirm.com/resources_mass.htm
Compilation of information about legal resources for Massachusetts survivors of child sexual abuse.

Homepage for Massachusett’s Department of Social Services

Mentoring hotlines
1-800-792-5200 (DSS –Massachusetts Department of Social Services 24 hr. Hotline to report Child Abuse or Neglect)

1-800-4-A-CHILD (National Child Abuse Hotline)