Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Child Abuse Prevention Month is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. April has been designated Child Abuse Month in the United States since 1989.

This year, NCAPM’s 2024 theme is “Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge to the Change”.

The theme invites us to “explore, engage, and invest in innovative new ideas to transform the way we partner with families to deliver services and support.”

The NCAPM Campaign seeks to reach these following goals: develop and enhance the child welfare workforce, support kinship caregivers, prevent children from coming into foster care, and ensure youth leave care with strengthened relationships, holistic supports, and opportunities.

Child abuse and neglect have a long-lasting negative effect on the victims and our society. As a community member, there are many ways you can help prevent child abuse and neglect. Awareness is one of the key components in prevention.

Here are a few ways on how you can promote awareness:

• Have a conversation with your loved ones, friends, or colleagues about the issue

• Wear blue on April 5 to stand in solidarity with child abuse prevention efforts

• Post about it on social media—use a blue child abuse prevention ribbon

• Directly reach out to and support parents and kids in your family and community

• Donate items such as clothes, diapers, and toys to families in need

• Be a listening ear or guide to new parents

• Anyone who thinks a parent should seek support can share the 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373) Helpline number.

Let’s work together to prevent child abuse and build healthier and stronger communities for our children!

If you are a victim of crime or would like more information regarding child abuse prevention, please contact Hands of Hope Resource Center at 320-732-2319.

Cassandra Ortiz

General Crime and Child Abuse Services Coordinator

Hands of Hope Resource Center

Todd County