April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Each year, we recognize this month as a time to show our support for keeping all children safe and helping every family thrive. The theme of this year’s awareness and impact campaign is “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention.” With hope as our guide and prevention as our strength, we can build a world where every family has what they need to succeed. Let’s commit to a future where every child grows up safe, loved, and full of hope.

Children flourish when families have access to support and resources before challenges arise. Research shows that positive childhood experiences, including nurturing relationships, loving caregivers, and safe, stable environments, are essential for healthy development. These protective factors not only help children thrive but also buffer the effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), reducing risks and fostering resilience. Yet, ensuring that every child grows up in a supportive and resource-rich community is not a task that falls solely on parents or individual families. It is a shared responsibility, one that requires strong community networks, accessible services, and proactive policies that prioritize prevention.

Our Partners in Prevention Teams across West Virginia have been doing just that! They provide concrete supports such as food, clothing, diapers and other supplies for families, offer training opportunities, conduct home visits with parents, host social events and many other supportive efforts to meet the needs in their local communities.