PRESS RELEASE — Recognizing the role everyone plays in helping North Carolina’s children reach their full potential, Governor Roy Cooper declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This Child Abuse Prevention Month, community organizations, government agencies, businesses, faith groups and other stakeholders will come together to focus on creating partnerships to prevent child maltreatment from occurring and the importance of building hope for children and families.

The theme of this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month campaign is “Building A Hopeful Future Together.” The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina (formerly Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina) recognize that every single child is filled with tremendous promise, and all North Carolinians are responsible for defending and nurturing that potential.

“We want North Carolina families to have access to supports they need, when they need them, so children can grow up in nurturing environments with hope for the future,” said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Susan Osborne. “Policies and programs that put families first are critical to ensuring parents and caregivers have the resources they need to keep children safe within their own communities. We are continuing to work to transform the many systems that directly impact child and family well-being to build a North Carolina where everyone can thrive.”

Children who live in families with access to economic and social support are less likely to experience abuse and neglect. Too often, people think of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone, but it takes community resources and partnerships to help lighten the burden of care and strengthen families. All North Carolinians share the responsibility of creating more positive outcomes for children by working together to address the underlying causes of health and social inequities in our communities.

In collaboration with statewide partners like NCDHHS, Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) is championing a new theory of change in North Carolina, which aims to build the well-being of our state’s children and families.

“At Positive Childhood Alliance NC, we are committed to challenging the status quo and advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of all North Carolina children and families,” said PCANC President and CEO Sharon Hirsch. “By offering data-driven coaching and professional development, building public understanding and advocating for systemic change, we’re working toward a future where every child has more positive experiences filled with hope and joy, supported by caring relationships and connected communities.”

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, PCANC and NCDHHS are joining the national effort to reshape the narrative around child maltreatment prevention and increase investments in programs and policies that prioritize children and families. This month, and all year long, communities and individuals can help NCDHHS and PCANC advance family-centered prevention programs and policies by taking action in the following ways:

  • Attend a Pinwheel Planting hosted by NCDHHS and PCANC on Tuesday, April 2, 11:30 a.m., at the NC State Farmer’s Market (1201 Agriculture St., Raleigh, NC 27603). Learn more here.
    • The public and media are invited to attend. Speakers include Lisa Tucker Cauley, Division Director, Human Services Child, Family, and Adult, Regional Support; Sharon Hirsch, President & CEO of Positive Childhood Alliance North Carolina; and Heather McAllister, Family First Prevention Services Manager in the Division of Social Services. Food and drink will be provided on a first come first serve basis.
  • Wear blue on Friday, April 5 – Wear Blue Day – to show support for children and families. Post a photo or video on social media and include the #WearBlueDay2024 and #NC hashtags.
  • Participate in digital advocacy day on Tuesday, April 16, to advocate for increased federal investment in community-based child abuse prevention grants that provide states and communities with the resources to implement community-based solutions to prevent child abuse and neglect.
  • Follow PCANC on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Threads and X (Twitter) and share our posts throughout April. Encourage friends and family to do the same. Click here to follow NCDHHS on all social media platforms.
  • Plant a pinwheel as a visual reminder of the world we want – for all children to grow up happy, healthy and prepared to succeed. Order pinwheels to plant in your community or go digital and plant one online here.

For more ways to get involved in Child Abuse Prevention Month, please visit PositiveChildhoodAllianceNC.org. (source)