Child Abuse Prevention Month this April Highlights the Importance of “Prevention in Partnership”
WICHITA, Kan. – March 29, 2023 – April is National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, a time when child wellness and child welfare organizations across the U.S. elevate the importance of creating systems and programs that put children and families first. Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL), as the Kansas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, recognizes that all community members have a role in ensuring children have positive experiences and families have the resources they need when they need them, well before they are in crisis. The theme of this year’s awareness and impact campaign, led by Prevent Child Abuse America and its national network of state chapters, is “Building Together: Prevention in Partnership.”
“Communities today need to band together in collective ways to help our families and children thrive,” said KCSL CEO Gail Cozadd. “Too often, our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone. However in reality, we all benefit when groups of people work together to collectively care for children. Our team is dedicated to bringing new and existing partners and supporters together this April for Child Abuse Prevention Month to support local children and families.”
Prevention Cannot and Does Not Happen Alone
Extreme stress and uncertainty for families may increase the risk of child abuse and neglect raising the need to support families and prevent abuse before it occurs. Child abuse and neglect are preventable, and all communities benefit when children and families are well supported. Throughout CAP Month, KCSL, its national organization Prevent Child Abuse America, alongside other chapters, affiliates and supporting organizations are using the metaphor of building blocks and construction to reinforce the concept that prevention cannot and does not happen alone.
“Child abuse neglect and prevention only happens in partnership,” said Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. “During this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month, our nationwide network is on a mission to show how friends and neighbors, parents and caregivers, business leaders and elected officials, educators and community organizations all have a role to play in building bright, safe and successful futures for our nation’s children. There are a number of ways you can get involved in this campaign, and there are also some everyday things you can do to help stop abuse or neglect before it starts.”
KCSL recommends local community members help raise awareness and impact through the following simple action items this April and beyond:
- Wear blue on March 31, Wear Blue Day, to show support for children and families as we build momentum leading into Child Abuse Prevention Month. Post a photo or video on social media and include the #WearBlueDay2023 hashtag.
- Participate in Prevent Child Abuse America’s nationwide Digital Advocacy Day, on April 19. Contact your member of Congress to advocate for increased investments for Title II, Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention grants, of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to provide states and communities the resources to implement community-based solutions to the prevention of child abuse and neglect.
- Follow KCSL on Facebook and Instagram and share our posts throughout April. Encourage friends and family to do the same. Use the hashtags #BuildingTogether, #PreventionInPartnership and #CAPMonth to signify your commitment to helping children, families and entire communities to thrive.
- Plant a virtual pinwheel – the symbol of child abuse prevention – in your community through Pinwheels for Prevention®. All donations are tax-deductible, and funds go directly to KCSL to support local children and families.
- Plant a pinwheel garden in your community. To order pinwheels and more ways to get involved in CAP Month, please visit kcsl.org/resources/cap-month/.
About Kansas Children’s Service League
Stronger families start at Kansas Children’s Service League (KCSL). Founded in 1893, KCSL is a statewide, nonprofit agency that serves thousands of Kansas children and families each year. KCSL’s mission is to protect and promote the well-being of children. Our programs work with children and families in the areas of health, safety and education to succeed and break cycles of neglect, abuse and trauma. We help both children and parents develop skills for success in their families, schools and workplaces. KCSL is also the Kansas chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and Circle of Parents.
About Prevent Child Abuse America
A leading champion for all children in the United States, Prevent Child Abuse America is the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. Through its nationwide network of state chapters and nearly 600 Healthy Families America home visiting programs, the organization provides services and resources that improve child health and well-being. Prevent Child Abuse America experts develop innovative, evidence-based prevention strategies, raise public awareness, and advocate for family-friendly policies and programs at the national, state, and local levels to ensure that all children and families get what they need to thrive. Prevent Child Abuse America is a top charity for children, rated by Consumer Reports and charity oversight organizations, including Charity Navigator, GreatNonprofits, and GuideStar. Visit preventchildabuse.org to learn more.
