DELTA DENTAL AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE-NJ PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION TIPS FOR PARENTS AND BLUE RIBBONS FOR ALL
-Delta Dental Continues Decade-Long Commitment to Raising Awareness of Abuse Prevention"

PARSIPPANY, NJ (March 31. 2003) – During Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month in April, the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. (Delta Dental) is increasing its ongoing effort to assist in the prevention of child abuse by distributing tips and information to the public. According to Prevent Child Abuse-NJ (PCA-NJ), one of the most important things parents can do is to build a positive relationship with their children. Delta Dental has partnered with PCA-NJ to reach as many families possible, throughout the state, with tips for fostering healthy parent-child relationships.

Child abuse is most likely to occur when there are a variety of risk factors present. These factors include lack of preparation or knowledge of critical issues surrounding parenting, financial or other environmental stressors, difficulty in relationships, and depression or other mental health problems. Today, parents may be facing stress and situations they are unprepared to handle, particularly if they are personally affected by the struggling economy, poor job market, or the conflict in the Middle East.

"There are many things that parents can do to turn a stressful atmosphere into a nurturing one and improve relationships with their children," said Diane Belle, vice president, Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. "Many organizations, including PCA-NJ, have helpful Web sites with information and links to resources in the community that parents can tap into." PCA-NJ (www.preventchildabusenj.org) has developed the following tips to help parents create positive relationships with their children:

Help your children feel loved and secure. Tell your children you love them, even when they do something wrong. Praise their achievements and talents. Spend time with your children doing things together that you all enjoy.

Seek help if you need it. If you think stress may be affecting the way you treat your child, or if you just want the extra support that all parents need at some point, try the following:

• Talk to someone about your concerns. Identify a friend, healthcare provider, or a leader in your faith community in whom you can confide.
• Seek counseling. Individual or family counseling can help you learn healthy ways to communicate with each other.
• Get good information on parenting. If time permits, take a parenting class or read about child development and parenting in your local library or online at www.preventchildabusenj.org.
• Accept help from friends and family. You don't have to do it all.

Sharing story time every night has the dual benefit of promoting bonding and literacy - a winning combination.

Each April, Delta Dental is a sponsor of the PCA-NJ Blue Ribbon Campaign through which ribbons are distributed and worn as a demonstration against abuse. "We recognize the importance of PCA-NJ's efforts on behalf of families in our area and support their Blue Ribbon Campaign to increase awareness of this tragic problem," said Walter VanBrunt, president and CEO, Delta Dental. "Experts agree that in communities where families are valued and supported, the children are safest from abuse and neglect."

Delta Dental and PCA-NJ recommend that parents prepare a calendar containing simple, daily activities or objectives that promote positive, healthy interaction between family members. One week could include:

Day 1 - Read to your child
Day 2 - Compliment your child
Day 3 - Play your child's favorite game
Day 4 - Encourage your children to give their allowance to charity
Day 5 - Color a special picture with your child
Day 6 - Rent a family movie and share a bowl of popcorn
Day 7 - Have the entire family make a Sunday dinner

"Prevention efforts build on family strengths," said Janet Rosenzweig, executive director, PCA-NJ. "In April - and throughout the year - we work with communities to help them focus their attention on prevention efforts that create healthier environments for children by fostering confident, positive parenting."

In addition to supporting the Blue Ribbon Campaign, Delta Dental also combats child abuse by offering year-round P.A.N.D.A. (Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness) presentations to professionals and community leaders who are in regular contact with children. P.A.N.D.A. presentations provide detailed information on physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect, and also teaches how to report, whom to contact, and how to deal with the sensitive issues involved in filing a report of suspected abuse. To schedule a free P.A.N.D.A. program for groups of ten or more, call Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey: 973-285-4059.

Delta Dental established the Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey Foundation in 1986. Its mission includes promoting and assisting educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, research programs designed to increase public awareness of the general benefits of good health, and to improve dental health through the science of dentistry. Each year, the Delta Dental Foundation provides financial support to various organizations throughout the state.

Delta Dental Plan of New Jersey, Inc., is New Jersey’s and Connecticut's leading dental benefits carrier, providing coverage to more than one million people through contracts with employers in New Jersey and Connecticut. The Delta Dental Plan system is a national network of independently operated, not-for-profit dental service corporations specializing in providing dental benefits programs for employee groups throughout the country. For more information visit us on the Web at www.deltadentalnj.com.