Dozens of Businesses and Individuals Support New PCA Jefferson County Chapter for April’s Prevent Child Abuse and Awareness Month
Prevent Child Abuse Jefferson County is pleased to announce their effort to “paint the town blue” was a huge success for the newly formed chapter.
April was National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention month, a time when child wellness and child welfare organizations across the U.S. elevate the importance of creating systems and programs that put children and families first.
Increasing public awareness of the need to ensure the safety and welfare of children led to the passage of the first Federal child protection legislation, the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), in 1974. While CAPTA has been amended many times over the years, most recently by the Keeping Children and Families Safe Act of 2003, the purpose of the original legislation remains intact. Today, the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal agency charged with supporting States, Tribes, and communities in providing programs and services to protect children and strengthen families.
Board President, Dr. Linda Zapp shares, “In 2022, Mayor Bob Courtney made a proclamation that April will be recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month for the City of Madison, and encouraged all citizens to increase their participation in efforts to strengthen families, thereby preventing child abuse and creating healthier communities.”
Today, the Child Abuse Prevention Initiative is an opportunity for communities across the country to keep children safe, provide the support families need to stay together, and raise children and youth to be happy, secure, and stable adults.
Prevent Child Abuse Jefferson County charter is pleased to announce their effort to “paint the town blue” was a huge success for the newly formed charter. Dozens of businesses and individuals displayed hundreds of pinwheels with the community this April. In addition, to this effort the powerful “coffee sleeve” initiative continued another year.
Over the years, CASA of Jefferson County assumed the role of PCA by placing pinwheels, and partnering with Community Partners, and the Department of Child Services for the month of April. Last year, CASA applied to Prevent Child Abuse Indiana to open a PCA charter under their 501c3. While CASA still participates in the Nation’s Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, they’ve seamlessly passed the baton to PCA Jefferson County board and volunteers. In addition to the pinwheel initiative, CASA & PCA also participated in a coffee sleeve initiative. CASA, and other stakeholders and individuals donated coffee sleeves, then friends of PCA delivered them to the local elementary schools. The students then custom designed each one. The coffee sleeves were then delivered to two local coffee shops, The Red Rooster and Analog Coffee for disbursement.
“This is a unique way to collaborate with the schools, and coffee shops. There were many individuals involved in the success of this project, but the best and most valuable members responsible for its success are our children. They did a wonderful job again this year with their artwork.” executive director of CASA of Jefferson County, Whitney Roberts.
Prevent Child Abuse Jefferson County Board Member, Olivia Crozier initiated the Pinwheel effort and shares, “We had an overwhelming support from all business owners and individuals that I approached about supporting our mission throughout the month of April by displaying pinwheels. It made me excited for the future we have with PCA. This is our first year going this big, and we had over 30 businesses and individuals participating! I truly enjoyed sharing information about our intentions to spread awareness, and supporting the PCA presence in our community. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for us as a powerful group, and building upon the number of partnerships in the community who join us in this national campaign next year!”
Thank you to the businesses and individuals who placed pinwheels this year. Also, a very special thank you to Canaan Community Academy, Lydia Middleton, Rykers Ridge, Pope John, Christian Academy, and Deputy Elementary schools, Analog Coffee and Red Roaster.
If you are interested in participating next year, please contact Olivia Crozier 15ocrozier@gmail.com
