CAP Month | pcac

April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month!

PINWHEEL COLORING CONTEST

This was our 6th year holding the Pinwheel Coloring Contest for local elementary schools. Students were asked to color their pinwheel coloring sheet and include a message of hope and encouragement for someone who has been hurt. Judges selected 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from each school. Those winners received a medal and their artwork framed. Judges also select a grand prize winner who will be presented a plaque recognizing her contribution to this year's child abuse prevention and awareness efforts!

This year's OVERALL WINNER

Halle Thompson

Shelton Elementary School

Here are the 2023 WINNERS from each school

Abney Elementary School

1st - Roxie Davis 2nd - Ryann Medlock 3rd - Rebecca LaHaye

Allgood Elementary School

1st - Alannah Gipson 2nd - Kayden Daniel 3rd - Sienna Munn

Baggett Elementary School

1st - Mackenzie Colon Moore 2nd - Diego Vessell 3rd - Cadence Turner

Burnt Hickory Elementary School

1st - Hayden Avalos 2nd - Marley Sudberrry 3rd - Ivy Bishop

Dallas Elementary School

1st - Harley Woods 2nd - Camari Savage 3rd -Ailyn Ward

Dugan Elementary School

1st - Autumn Resto 2nd - Wyatt (LNU) 3rd - Madilyn Mullenix

Hiram Elementary School

1st - Summer Guest 2nd - Olivia Sky Mejia 3rd - Sofia Bennett

Hutchens Elementary School

1st - Kayleigh Barmore 2nd - Kayleny Quevedo 3rd - Marco Sallosti

McGarity Elementary School

1st - Brayden Moranna 2nd - Amir Hernandez 3rd - Desire Aniagor

Nebo Elementary School

1st - Gianna Thomas 2nd - Juliette Salomone-Heinsen 3rd - Joy Arwood

Northside Elementary School

1st - Leyvi Nutall 2nd - Emilia Painter 3rd - Jeni (LNU)

Panter Elementary School

1st - Jane Bradford 2nd - Alexis Gonzalez 3rd - Allison (LNU)

Poole Elementary School

1st - Sammy Grace Robinson 2nd - Skye Meyers 3rd - Jane Pohl

Ragsdale Elementary School

1st - Malayah Whiting 2nd - Kyleigh (LNU) 3rd - Iris Barnes

Roberts Elementary School

1st - Canaan Dyer 2nd - Paisley Southerland 3rd - Ellie Longshore

Russom Elementary School

1st - Madison Bowen 2nd - Laila (LNU) 3rd - Kinlei (LNU)

Shelton Elementary School

1st - Savannah Remole 2nd - Grace Anyaoha 3rd - Koi Hillman

Thanks to school personnel and Kim Cayetano

for helping promote the pinwheel coloring contest!

National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. During the month of April and throughout the year, communities around the nation are encouraged to increase awareness, and to provide education and support to families. The President, as well as state and local officials, proclaim April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month each year. These proclamations serve to encourage public awareness of child abuse and neglect, recommit resources to the cause, and promote community involvement through local activities. Below is information about some of the activities and events that Paulding CAC was involved in for April 2023's Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Thanks to everyone who helped raise awareness about child abuse during this year's activities! As we often say, 'IT TAKES A VILLAGE'!

PCAC Executive Director Ivy Capps met with the

Paulding County Board of Commissioners, the City of Dallas, and the City of Hiram for the presentation of their 2023 proclamations of April as

Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

PAULDING COUNTY IS A COMMUNITY AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

We are excited to have our first outdoor sign for Child Abuse Prevention Month! Thanks to Martin Momtahan for the use of his sign frame, and for his work to put up the sign and place it for us!

Paint Paulding Blue!

PCAC's yearly campaign to spread blue around the community during April started in February this year. We've seen over 150 bows go out around the community - one simple way to show your support for child abuse prevention.

Pinwheels for Prevention® is a national public awareness campaign during Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAP Month) every April, designed by Prevent Child Abuse America to communicate efforts and change the way states think about prevention.

The 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline is an information and referral line for caregivers and professionals looking for supportive programs in their area. Callers can talk to a trained individual who cares and wants to help.

Pinwheel Gardens

There were pinwheel gardens all around Paulding! We were delighted to be partnered with these agencies and businesses in the pursuit of child abuse

prevention and awareness.

Wellstar Paulding Hospital

Paulding School District Office

Paulding DFCS

City of Hiram

Eberhart Funeral Home

Chattahoochee Tech

WHAT'S WITH THE BLUE RIBBON?

The Blue Ribbon is the national symbol associated with child abuse prevention. It is a campaign that had a small but powerful beginning in Virginia in 1989. Bonnie Finney tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van to “make people wonder” – to encourage them to ask her what it was for. The story she told to inquisitive community members was a tragic story about the abuse of her grandchildren which ultimately led to the brutal death of her grandson.

The story of Bonnie Finney demonstrates the effect that just one concerned citizen can have on raising public awareness of child abuse and in promoting prevention. Since Bonnie Finney first tied that blue ribbon to her van antenna in 1989, millions of people across the country have participated in Child Abuse Prevention Month efforts by putting out blue ribbons in/around their homes and businesses, pinning blue ribbons to their clothing, and even tying blue ribbons to their antennas just like Bonnie. Each year, more people join the effort by displaying blue ribbons, encouraging others to wear and display them, and by getting involved in community activities to “make people wonder” about the significance of the Blue Ribbon.

Paulding Child

Advocacy Center

Prevention