Paulding Child
Advocacy Center
Prevention
Intervention
Advocacy
In light of ongoing health concerns regarding the spread of COVID, our office takes extra precautions for the safety of our clients, staff, and community partners. The office, specifically public use spaces, will be cleaned and disinfected as thoroughly as possible between each family's visit.
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April is National Child Abuse Prevention and
Awareness Month!
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.
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PROCLAMATIONS
Each year, local government recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month by issuing proclamations. We are thankful for their support and commitment to protecting our children.
PINWHEEL COLORING CONTEST
This is our 7th 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 will receive a medal and their artwork framed. Judges also selected a grand prize winner (see below).
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Fourth Graders were provided this coloring sheet in February. With the help of their teachers and counselors, they completed their 'artwork'.
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Big congratulations to
Liam Sanders
of McGarity Elementary School!
He is this year's grand prize winner! Liam was presented with a plaque of his winning pinwheel artwork at the recent Paulding Schools board meeting.
Great job, Liam!
PAULDING COUNTY IS A COMMUNITY AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
Be looking for our billboard again this year!
Thanks to Martin Momtahan for the use of his sign frame.
Paint Paulding Blue!
PCAC's yearly campaign to spread blue around the community during April started in February this year. If you would like to donate to our blue ribbon campaign, visit our fundraising page (see 'Support PCAC' tab at top of this page).
If you want to recognize in other ways, just decorate with anything royal blue! Cover your door, put blue pinwheels up around your home and/or business, put out blue balloons, wear blue throughout April. We welcome pictures of your efforts - send them to info@pauldingcac.org.
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Pinwheel Gardens
There are pinwheel gardens all around Paulding!
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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.
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.