Prevention

Strengthening Families Month

Each year, Idaho’s Children’s Advocacy Centers serve more than 2,000 children who have experienced abuse or neglect. While CACs provide critical support, healing, and justice after harm has occurred, we also know that the most important work happens before a child ever needs our services.

April has been designated National Child Abuse Prevention Month since 1983, when President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation to raise awareness and encourage community efforts to protect children and strengthen families. The blue pinwheel—the national symbol for prevention introduced by Prevent Child Abuse America—reminds us of the happy, healthy childhood every child deserves.

That’s why the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers is proud to support Strengthening Families Month this April. Prevention and CAC work go hand in hand—by increasing awareness, strengthening families, and equipping communities with the knowledge to recognize risk and act early, we can help reduce the number of children who ever experience abuse in the first place.

Look for blue pinwheels across Idaho as a reminder that every child deserves a safe, healthy childhood—and that prevention starts with all of us.

How You Can Participate

Child abuse prevention begins with everyday actions. During Strengthening Families Month, you can:

• Display blue pinwheels or prevention signage in your community

• Share messages of support on social media or in your workplace

• Contact elected officials about investing in Idaho’s children and families

• Participate in prevention education like Darkness to Light or attend any Strengthening Families events statewide

Small actions across many communities create safer, healthier childhoods for Idaho’s children.

Child Abuse Prevention Coloring Pages

Strengthening Families Month Events