April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! Along with other states across the country, Virginians join together to stop the cycle of child abuse and neglect by highlighting state and local prevention work. We focus on how individuals and communities can collaborate to prevent child abuse and neglect.
This year, we are exploring and celebrating the idea of creating a future where Virginians feel empowered, connected, and optimistic about their contributions towards ending child abuse and neglect. This focus recognizes the interconnectedness of physical, social, emotional, cultural and economic well-being that creates a healthy environment to nurture human potential.
Join us in raising awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month in Virginia using the below resources:
2024 Child Abuse Prevention Month Events
| Date & Time | Name | Description | Location | Agency | Point of Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4/27/2024 10am-12pm |
Celebrating Children's Fair | A free informational resource fair or children, parents and caregivers, with informational booths, vendors and more. | Carysbrook Elementary School | Fluvanna County Department of Social Services\ | RoShelle.Reed@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/13/2024 | 12th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Golf Tournament | Join us at the 12th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Golf Tournament! In conjunction with the Joyner Gray Yale Ruritan Club, this event brings to gether the Southhampton community to raise money for programs that support child abuse prevention. Come show off your golf skills as a player or enjoy the entertainment of the sport for a good cause! | Cypress Creek Country Club, Franklin, VA | Southampton County Department of Social Services | michelle.stivers@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/20/2024 9am-1pm |
Annual Resource Family Fun Fair | Join us for a day family fun! This a free event open to the public to learn about community resources. This event is held in April every year in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child Abuse Prevention promotional items are handed out during the event. | Northumberland Family YMCA | Northumberland Department of Social Services | victoria.dickerson@dss.virginia.gov |
|
4/13/2024 10am-2pm |
Alleghany-Covington DSS Child Abuse Prevention Event | Come out to enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, popcorn, and more at Alleghany-Covington's 3rd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Event! | Rosedale Park | Alleghany-Covington DSS | tammy.wilson1@dss.virginia.gov |
|
4/18/2024 3:30pm-6pm |
Spring Family Fun Festival | Free event! Fun for the whole family- games, prizes, vendors and resources. | Jackson Park, Pulaski VA | Pulaski County Department of Social Services | leeann.martin@pcdss.org |
|
4/25/2024 4:30-6pm |
Family Fun Day & Resource Fair | Bring the family and enjoy FREE bouncy house, face painting, fun family games and so much more. Law Enforcement, fire trucks and EMS vehicles on display. Learn about adoption and foster care as well as child abuse awareness and prevention education. Rain date is Thursday, May 2, 2024. Contact Social Services at 540-955-3700. | Rose Hill Park, Berryville, VA | Clarke County Department of Social Services | Alexandrea.Herrera@dss.Virginia.gov |
| 4/11/2024 3:00-6:30 pm |
3rd Annual Family Fun Festival | We are excited to host our 3rd Annual Family Fun Festival event downtown to promote happy childhoods and child abuse awareness. We will have free food, games for the kids, community partners will be there to give out information also | Christiansburg VA | Montgomery Co DSS | kelly.edmonson@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/12/2024 4:00-7:00 pm |
We Don't Monkey Around with Child Abuse | Join us for a carnival with vendors on site to give information about their services, as well as a carnival game for each child to play. There will be free food, drinks, cotton candy, and slushies. | The Expo Center in the city of Norton | Norton City Department of Social Services | becky.burke@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/5/2024 | Pinwheel Planting | Fredericksburg DSS will meet with community partners at City Hall and plant pinwheels with Fredericksburg Police Department, Fredericksburg Commonwealth's Attorney, City Hall representatives, and City School Social Workers. The purpose is to promote awareness as well as coordination across practices throughout the city who all have a part in preventing child abuse. | Fredericksburg City Hall | City of Fredericksburg Department of Social Services | shelby.oermann@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/8/2024 9:30am-12pm |
Traveling Bake Sale | Fredericksburg DSS and City School Social Workers will take part in preparing baked goods and traveling throughout the City to raise funds for FDSS Safe Sleep Campaign. Traveling locations include: Health Department, Police Department, FRED Transit Station, City Hall, Parks and Rec Center, Circuit Court, Sheriff's Office, JDR Court, and the CA's office. | Throughout the City | Fredericksburg Department of Social Services | kathleen.bell@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/22/2024 4pm -5:30pm |
Know Before You Report - Reporting to Social Services and Law Enforcement |
Abuse and neglect of children and adults occurs within families and in other settings where children and adults are provided care or services. These settings include but are not limited to schools, residential facilities, day care centers/homes, and recreational or sporting programs. Recognizing and reporting suspected child/adult abuse and neglect are the first steps toward ensuring the safety and well-being of children and adults. |
King and Queen Court House, Court Room 242 Allen's Circle, King and Queen Court House, VA 23085 | King and Queen Department of Social Services | becca.pike@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/22/2024 9am-2pm |
Child Abuse Neglect Training | Join us for a free training on Child Abuse and Neglect where we will cover topics including Soft tissue injuries, medical child negelct, child sexual abuse, and more. This event is open to all professionals serving children. | Children's Hospital of Richmond | King and Queen Department of Social Services | brittany.lawson@dss.virginia.gov |
| 4/5/2024 10am |
Pinwheels for Prevention Garden 2024 | Join us at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden as we plant our annual blue pinwheel garden as a symbol for Child Abuse Prevention month. Blue pinwheels are the symbol of childlike whimsy and happiness we want to plant in the lives of all children. | Lewis Ginter Botantical Garden |
Lewis Ginter 1800 Lakeside Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23228 |
|
| 4/5/2024 All day |
Wear Blue Day | Show your commitment for Child Abuse Prevention by wearing a blue shirt for prevention! Share a picture or video on social sharine why you wear blue for Child Abuse Prevention and use the hashtag #WearBlueDay and #WhyIWearBlue | Everywhere | Virginia Department of Social Services |
The goal of Child Abuse Prevention Services is to strengthen families by ensuring the safety, permanency, and well-being of its children. Services are determined by target population, degree of trauma experienced, and level of intervention by local departments of social services. These services are designed to:
- Strength-based family engagement approaches empower family members and increase their opportunity to be self-sufficient.
- Prevent the occurrence (or reoccurrence) of child abuse/neglect from any caretaker
- Prevent out-of-home care (including the prevention of foster care)
- Benefits of providing prevention services to families in a strength-based, trauma-informed system that promotes protective factors include the following:
- Families who identify their problems and seek help through prevention are more likely to benefit quickly from services and their children are less likely to be at risk of abuse and neglect and out-of-home care.
- Early involvement with families reduces the likelihood of abuse and neglect occurring, maintains permanency for the child in their family, and preserves sibling groups.
- Training and educating parents' understanding of child development, behavior management, stress management, attachment, and nurturing reduces family conflict and improves family relationships.
Report Child Abuse or Neglect
Anyone can report suspected child abuse or neglect to a local department of social services or to the CPS Hotline.
Virginia: 1-800-552-7096
Outside Virginia: 1-804-786-8536
Local Departments of Social Services
