Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time when child advocates across the nation focus on ways to prevent abuse and neglect, recognizing the importance of strong communities and healthy families to help ensure safety for children.
Child abuse is preventable, and everyone can play a role in keeping children safe in our community. There are many ways you can help, like simply helping a struggling parent or family so they can parent safely, reporting suspected cases of abuse or neglect, donating, volunteering and/or mentoring with a local organization that helps children and families, and so much more. If you’re game for an even bigger commitment, you can join the team and work for DCFS or become a foster parent.
Join us this month for any of the below opportunities to bring attention to child abuse prevention.
Show Your Sign of Support
Led by our partners at Canopy Child Advocacy Center your organization can plant a pinwheel garden or yard sign to raise awareness and spread the word. The pinwheels symbolize healthy, happy childhoods and raise awareness of the need to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community. For more information about pinwheels and yard signs email zcurry@canopycac.org or call 216-574-4325.
Canopy Child Advocacy Center is a proud partner of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. A Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is a national model utilized to reduce potential trauma for children and families impacted by child abuse and to improve services through interagency collaboration. Clients come to one child-friendly, trauma-informed location where they receive services and resources in order to begin the healing process. Canopy provides therapy, victim advocacy, forensic interviews, medical examinations, and case coordination. Visit https://www.canopycac.org/ or call 216-574-4325 for additional information.
Ohio Wear Blue Day – Wednesday, April 9th
Wear Blue is a statewide awareness campaign that takes place on the second Wednesday of every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month. Ohioans are encouraged to wear blue that day – to work, to school, to a community event – to show support for preventing child abuse and neglect. Take a photo of yourself and your family, coworkers, friends, neighbors, fellow students, and others wearing blue. Share the photo on your social media page and use the hashtag: #CuyahogaWearsBlue
Virtual Events
Family Success Network – Wednesday, April 9th
The Family Success Network at the Westside Catholic Center will share how family coaching can help build healthy family relationships and support child safety. Organized by the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund this webinar will feature local prevention efforts. Register for the Family Success Network.
Mandated Reporter Training – Wednesday, April 16th
During this webinar a manager of the 696-KIDS Hotline will explain who a mandated reporter is, what are the signs of abuse or neglect, and how to contact our hotline and make a report concerning a child. Register to join us.
Child Abuse Prevention Walk – Wednesday, April 23rd
Join us at our Jane Edna Hunter Building as we walk to the County Administration Building downtown and back. We want to encourage everyone that they can help keep children safe and prevent child abuse and neglect in their life and community! Register to join us.
Additional Resources:
Know the Signs, Make the Call
- Who and what is a mandated reporter?
- What to look for
- How to make a report
- Download a free large poster or letter size flyer you can post or share.
Parent Resources
Free and low-cost resources families can use to provide a safer environment for children.
Family Crisis Resources
There are community resources to help families in crisis and PREVENT child abuse and neglect.