April is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month nationally and here in Missouri. This year’s theme focuses on “Making Meaningful Connections.” Many communities around the state are gearing up for events and activities scheduled throughout the month to emphasize the critical importance of preventing child abuse and neglect and keeping children safe. One of many events is Go Blue Day for Missouri’s kids scheduled for Friday, April 10. We hope you will join us along with thousands of Missourians on that day in wearing blue to promote the safety and well being of Missouri’s kids and the importance of child abuse prevention. To help you plan for Child Abuse Prevention Month you can:
- Visit the National Child Abuse Prevention Month website to find useful resources.
- Download the 2015 Prevention Resource Guide: Making Meaningful Connections and learn how to strengthen families using the protective factors.
- Access dozens of tip sheets—in English and Spanish—that can be distributed to parents and caregivers. There are three new tip sheets this year…”Feeding Your Family,” “Human Trafficking: Protecting Our Youth,” and “Support after an Adoption“
- Bookmark three activity calendars—one each for prevention programs, parents, and community partners—and discover ways to integrate activities related to the protective factors into Child Abuse Prevention Month activities.
- Download and post Child Abuse Prevention Month widgets to your website to help promote the initiative.
- Spread the word with the online media toolkit, which provides traditional and new media strategies to help your organization or community partnerships raise awareness about events, reach potential supporters, and build relationships.
- Participate in Go Blue Day, Friday, April 10 by wearing something blue (the official color of prevention) to support Missouri’s kids.
- Attend the 6th annual Pinwheels for Prevention Community Pinwheel Garden hosted by Missouri KidsFirst at the State Capitol on Tuesday, April 14, 12 Noon.
- Register and attend this year’s CTF Child Abuse/Neglect Prevention Conference – ‘1 Childhood 4 Every 1 – All Kids Deserve A Good 1!’ April 14 &15 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City. View conference program/agenda.
- Attend the 33rd Annual Child Advocacy Day at the Missouri State Capitol on Wednesday, April 1.
- Attend or volunteer for child abuse prevention month events in your community. Check here on CTF’s community events calendar for an event near you.
- Follow Missouri CTF on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with April’s prevention activities and news.
- Order CTF’s parent education and prevention materials including our Strengthening Families Protective Factors Poster to use during April and throughout the year.
