Child Abuse Prevention Month

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month

Origin

In 1983, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation designating April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Six years later, the color blue began to represent awareness of child abuse and neglect.  In 1989, a grandmother from Virginia tied a blue ribbon on her car.  She did this in memory of her grandson after he suffered fatal consequences of child maltreatment. This simple act alerted her community to the tragedy of child abuse. The color blue now reminds people why it is so crucial to prevent child abuse.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to raise awareness of our shared responsibility and inspire collective action, so children can lead their best lives.

 

Pinwheels for Prevention

Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the blue pinwheel as the national symbol for Child Abuse Prevention in 2008.

Every year, Idaho Children’s Trust Fund and organizations statewide spread the important message of awareness for the need to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect from ever happening in the first place. The theme of Child Abuse Prevention Month is “Pinwheels for Prevention.” The pinwheel represents what we want for all children: a happy, healthy, and carefree childhood.

“Together, we can prevent child abuse…because childhood lasts a lifetime” – Prevent Child Abuse America

A Month of Giving April

Child Abuse Prevention Month with Optum Idaho

Upcoming Events:

WEAR BLUE EVERY WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY IN APRIL TO SHOW SUPPORT

 

ALL MONTH LONG: Rise and Grind

Buy a CAP Tea and receive a pinwheel with every purchase! You will also be entered into a weekly drawing for a t-shirt and a tea bomb!

211 S. 6th st Boise, ID 83702

 

ALL MONTH LONG: Virtual Pinwheel Garden with PCAA! CLICK TO VISIT THE GARDEN!

 

Every Friday, 11am: Fresh Kettle Corn

Where? The Mahoney House, Salmon Idaho

 

April 1, 2023, 2pm: Superhero Walk & Egg Hunt, Nampa Family Justice Center

Where? Caldwell Police Department 

 

April 1, 2023: Pick up Coloring Pages and Pinwheels

Where? Nampa Family Justice Center

 

April 3rd, 2023, 5:30pm: Mayoral Proclamation

Where? Nampa City Hall

 

April 5, 2023, 5:30pm: Kick Off 50th Anniversary of Prevent Child Abuse America

Where? Harding Family Center, CDA ID

 

April 5, 2023 10:00am-3:00pm: Celebration of Children BLOCK Fest Event

Where? Madison County Library, Rexburg, Idaho

 

April 5th, 2023, 6pm: Mayoral Proclamation

Where? Chubbuck City Hall

 

April 5th, 2023: CAP Month Event

Where? Lewiston Library, Lewiston, ID

 

April 6th, 2023, 5pm-9pm: First Thursday Event

Where? In front of Boise City Hall- 150 N Capitol Blvd, Boise

 

April 6th, 2023 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm: Celebration of Children BLOCK Fest Event

Where? Eastern Idaho Public Health

 

April 6th, 2023, 6pm: Mayoral Proclamation

Where? Pocatello City Hall

 

April 7th, 2023: Wear Blue Day

Where? Statewide and Nationally!

 

April 8th, 2023: Mayoral Proclamation

Where? Boise

 

April 10th, 2023, 5pm: Mayoral Proclamation

Where? Preston City Hall

 

April 11th, 2023, 10am: Governor’s Proclamation

Where? Idaho State Capitol

 

April 11th-13th, 2023: “What Were You Wearing?” exhibit

Where? NNU Learning Commons Building (library)

 

April 12th, 2023 4pm-7pm: Child Abuse Prevention Day BSU

Where? Jordan Ballroom at the Student Union Building inside Boise State University- 1910 W University Dr, Boise

 

April 14th, 2023, 10am-3pm: Base Helping Agencies Outreach Fair

Where? Mountain Home Air Force Base

 

April 15th, 2023, 11am-2pm: Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

Where? Gold’s Gym Pocatello

 

April 17th, 2023: Stewards of Children, Darkness 2 Light Facilitator Reauthorization Training

Where? Coeur d’Alene

 

April 19th, 2023 2pm -4pm: Child Abuse Prevention Month Event

Where? Discovery Center- 131 W Myrtle St, Boise 

 

April 19th, 2023, 7:30pm: Mayoral Proclamation

Where? Montpelier City Hall

 

April 26th, 2023, 7pm: Resilient Idaho Movie Screening

Where? Mad Swede Downtown Boise

 

April 26, 2023, 3:30m- 5:30pm: Strengthening Families Celebration

Where? Post Falls Head Start

 

April 28th, 2023, 1pm-3pm: Nampa Family Justice Center Community Training- Awareness and Prevention for Internet Crimes Against Children

Where? Nampa Police Department

 

April 29th, 2023: Last day to submit coloring pages

Where? Nampa Library

 

April 29th, 2023 11am-4pm: Idaho Immunization Coalition’s Health Fair

Where? Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho- 315 Stampede Dr. Nampa

 

April 30th, 2023, 12pm-4pm: Dia de los Ninos

Where? Cecil D Andrus Park, Boise

 

Get Involved

Some simple ways to participate in Child Abuse Prevention Month:

  • Display pinwheels, especially gardens of blue pinwheels
  • Draft a letter to your elected officials emphasizing the need to invest in Idaho families and children
  • Wear blue
  • Draw a pinwheel and write a positive message using sidewalk chalk
  • Post your support for Child Abuse Prevention month on social media, in a video, or a blog post

Click here  for more creative ways to help raise awareness and promote happy, healthy childhoods.

 

Resources

For urgent support, click here.

If you would like to donate or volunteer, please contact kim.hemmert@ctf.idaho.gov