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
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