Safe Kids Expo 2014

Sportsman Lake Park will play host to hundreds of children and their families when the annual Safe Kids Expo returns Saturday.

From 10 a.m.- 1 p.m., kids can enjoy free snow cones, popcorn and drinks along with fishing, paddle boats, Putt-Putt golf, bounce houses, face painting and puppet shows.

Local businesses will join police and fire departments and other agencies to play games and give demonstrations. Children 12 years old and under will be admitted free but must be accompanied by an adult.

Brooks’ Place (the Cullman County Child Advocacy Center) organizes the event each April in honor of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

The agency utilizes specialized medical and mental health professionals and family/victim advocates to conduct forensic interviews so victims aren’t traumatized by repeated interviews by officials. The process also preserves their testimony for possible criminal investigation and prosecution.

Brooks’ Place provides free counseling for victims and their families and attends criminal justice proceedings services for victims.

It also coordinates a multidisciplinary team consisting of representatives from the Cullman County Department of Human Resources, investigators with the Cullman Police Department and Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, the Cullman County District Attorney’s office, mental health professionals and juvenile probation to help young victims of sexual abuse.

The event is sponsored by Brooks’ Place, Pepsi, Sportsman Lake Park, Desperation Church, Cullman County Home Builders Association, Cullman County Partnership for Children, Inc., New York Life, Cullman Lions Club, Wal-Mart Distribution and the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office.

For more information about Brooks’ Place, call 256-739-2243 or visit their website at www.caccullman.org.

Tiffeny Owens can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 135.

* About 4 times more likely to develop symptoms of drug abuse

* About 4 times more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as adults

* About 3 times more likely to experience a major depressive episode as adults

Source: RAINN