April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Villages of Indiana and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, a Division of The Villages, annually recognize the month through a series of public events, which have been modified to ensure prevention and recognition efforts stay within the current health and safety guidelines issued by our state and national leaders.
“April’s National Child Abuse Prevention month is more important than ever during this time. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indiana children are home from school and other activities at least through May 1. Parents are under stress between working from home, supervising the e-learning of their own children and the current global situation,” says Sharon Pierce, President & CEO of The Villages. “All of this means our state’s most vulnerable youth are receiving fewer resource services and supports right now. These appointments and events often happen in places where trusted adults can make sure children are ok.”
This is why The Prevent Child Abuse Indiana team continues efforts to educate the community during April. During the month, social media channels will include information about child abuse prevention. Recognition programs will continue in a virtual format.
Virtual child abuse prevention kickoff April 1 at 9 a.m.
• An April 1, 9 a.m. Zoom virtual kickoff event will feature Pierce and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana Advisory Committee Chair Todd Louden. During the virtual event, the pair will celebrate youth in our state, discuss prevention and how the community can be a participant in supporting prevention efforts. Register here.
• Traditionally, PCAIN hosts a group of volunteers to plant pinwheels for a display. This year, staff will “plant” 1,000 pinwheels in the front yard of The Villages and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana at 3833 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis.
• The pinwheel is a national symbol of the bright futures all children deserve. It takes action to prevent child abuse, just as it takes action to make a pinwheel move. In 2020, over 84,000 children will be born in Indiana. One pinwheel represents 84 Hoosier children, with 1,000 pinwheels representing and honoring the total children who will be born this year.
Family activities
• Families can plant their own pinwheel garden. Kits can be ordered online and shipped directly to homes. Shipping is free for kits ordered by April 1.
• Children can color their own pinwheel to display using downloadable art and parents can share online using #PCAINgoesvirtual.
• Join National Wear Blue Day, April 3. By wearing blue, people throughout the state demonstrate an awareness of and commitment to our shared responsibility for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of the children and families in our communities.
The Villages of Indiana champions every child’s right to a safe, permanent and nurturing home and serves more than 3,100 children and their families daily. This mission-driven, nonprofit agency is committed to strengthening all families and embracing the dignity and diversity of each child, youth and family served. As Indiana’s largest private non-profit that serves children and families, The Villages offers a statewide continuum of care that addresses the needs of abused, neglected and abandoned children, and is a leader in providing child abuse prevention services.
Prevent Child Abuse Indiana, a Division of The Villages, is dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect, and is committed to making Indiana a better, safer place for Indiana’s most precious resource – our children. Alongside committed volunteers throughout the state, Prevent Child Abuse Indiana increases awareness, informs about solutions, serves as a resource, advocates for expanded and improved programs and policies, and fosters a statewide network committed to child abuse prevention.
