COUNTYWIDE : Child Advocate of the Year Is Named

The director of Childhelp USA, an agency that provides care for neglected children, will be named Child Advocate of the Year by the Child Abuse Council of Orange County.

Connie Olsen, 43, of Irvine, who has handled some of the most severe child-abuse cases in the area, will be honored April 9 at the council’s annual recognition dinner at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

For 10 years, Olsen has overseen two Childhelp group homes in Huntington Beach and Westminster that house youngsters ages 2 to 12. The nonprofit organization also operates a facility in Riverside County that treats severe cases of neglect and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.

Despite the heart-wrenching cases she has to deal with, Olsen says, she has the enthusiasm and dedication of a new recruit.

“When I start to feel burnt out, I go to the group homes,” Olsen said. “When you see how much love these kids have to give, it lights a fire under you and makes you want to go out and do more.”

The dinner to honor Olsen is the first of a series of activities to be held in April, which has been designated Child Abuse Prevention month. According to the Child Abuse Council of Orange County, 28,364 cases of neglect were reported last year in the county, up from 22,677 cases in 1989.

The theme for the month is “Children Are Fragile, Handle With Care,” and many of the activities will focus on helping parents improve their parenting skills. Admission to the events is free unless otherwise noted.

Two panel discussions will be held April 9 in the Campus Theater at Fullerton College. The first panel, which will meet from 10:30 a.m. to noon, will discuss alcoholic parents. A child’s view of abuse and a discussion of parenting skills will follow, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

A panel of child abuse survivors will be offered from 3 to 5 p.m. on April 15 in Union Hall at Cal State Long Beach. Survivor panel discussions also will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 25 in the Forum at Orange Coast College, and from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 26 at the Fred C. Nellis School in Whittier.

The role of law enforcement in recognizing and treating child abuse will be discussed in the UC Theater at Cal State Fullerton from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on April 16. A video called “In the Best Interest of the Child” will be shown.

A two-day conference will be held April 18 and 19 at the Sheraton Anaheim Hotel. The third annual Child Abuse Council of Orange County conference will present information on a variety of topics and features several speakers. For registration and information call Sylvia Wall at (714) 937-2200.

Winners of the Child Abuse Council’s poster contest will participate in the opening ceremonies at Anaheim Stadium before the game between the Angels and the Oakland A’s on April 17. “Safe at Home” is the theme of the posters and the game.