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Last year a tragedy occurred in Rodgers Forge, a community known to many as one of the area's "kid-friendliest" neighborhoods; a nurturing haven with great schools, quiet streets, and plenty of playgrounds.  Yet, Andrew Patrick Griffin, who would have been 3, slowly and silently starved to death there. 

In Maryland, every 37 minutes a child suffers abuse in one of our communities...yours and mine...because abuse knows no boundaries.

But Andrew's death painfully shows that any child can fall victim to abuse; and that loving parents sometimes hurt their kids when they feel alone, have their own problems or are overwhelmed.  Even more important, however, this tragedy confirms something we now know only too well: while it takes a community to raise a child, it also takes a community to save one. 

In fact, prevention works best when public agencies, medical institutions, non-profit organizations, and private citizens join forces to help families in trouble.  Andrew would probably be alive today if the Griffins', like many new parents, were aware of the resources readily available for child rearing. For instance, home visiting programs, like Healthy Families protects children from abuse and insures linkage to medical care.

We owe it to Andrew to have something positive come out of this tragedy.   Let us vow to do our part to protect children.  We must educate ourselves on the red flags of child abuse and neglect; support programs that help families; get involved with our children and our neighbors.  And, most especially, know what to do when something just doesn't seem right. Call child protective services or your local police department.  For more information on raising children and preventing child abuse and neglect visit The Family Tree's web site at www.familytreemd.org  or call the Family Stressline 24/7 at 1800-243-7337.