GO VIRTUAL for Child Abuse Prevention Month (April)
In a time of physical distancing, we encourage you to keep the messages of child abuse prevention month AND that of social connectedness strong in alternative ways! Reaching out to neighbors and families through phone, text, and FaceTime, even just to offer emotional support is important!
#IStayHomeFor #PinwheelsforPrevention Competition
Child Abuse Prevention Month means… PINWHEELS! This year we are having an #IStayAtHomeFor #PinwheelsforPrevention crafting competition. We’re calling on you to design and create your own pinwheels and share them with us via Facebook! We want to see pictures of pinwheels of all shapes, sizes, media and materials coming to life in your homes, whether you draw, color, sculpt, paint, knit, bake, or any other way you find to make a pinwheel. Share it with us all month long at @PreventGeorgia ! At the end of the month, we’ll announce the top three most creative Pinwheels and yes, THERE ARE PRIZES- Get crafting!
Child Abuse Prevention Month Media Toolkit
Child Abuse Prevention Month Talking Points
In a time of social distancing, we encourage you to keep the messages of child abuse prevention month AND that of social connectedness strong in alternative ways! Reaching out to neighbors and families through phone, text, and FaceTime, even just to offer emotional support is important!
- Face-to-face from afar: The next best thing to in-person interaction is video chat, because facial cues, body language and other nonverbal forms of communication are important for bonding. When possible, opt for video over messaging or calling and play around with doing what you would normally do with others.
- One-minute kindness: receiving a direct message or e-mail with a genuine compliment or expression of gratitude is more personal and longer lasting—without taking much more time. After all, we need a little extra kindness to counter the stress and uncertainty of the coronavirus.
- As you delay or cancel an event, have an online drive (collect donations or share an amazon wish list)- many children and families face additional hardship due to school closings (access to free and reduced lunch, additional burden of childcare costs)
- Facebook live your pinwheel planting, and encourage others to virtually share how they are spreading awareness and helping families during CAP month.
These are key takeaways messages that can be used during CAP Month and year round. You can adapt these talking points to fit in with your Child Abuse Prevention Month activities and use in newsletters, media relations, and digital content.
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- April is Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, a time to act collectively to raise awareness and empower people across the nation to play a role in making great childhoods happen. Throughout this crucial CAP Month, we’re reinforcing the message that “Everyone can make great childhoods happen—especially you, especially now!”
- And our efforts to raise awareness and engagement and impact positive change this year are as vital as ever. The outbreak of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has changed our world dramatically—and rapidly. Although the risk to our children’s physical health from the outbreak itself appears to be low…the risk to our nation’s children for experiencing child abuse and neglect in times of extreme stress and uncertainty is actually quite high.
- School and workplace closings can increase stress in parents’ lives, resulting from loss of income due to lack of paid leave; an unexpected or irregular need for child care; and even food insecurity, when school meal programs become unavailable.
- Additionally, an unintended consequence of social distancing is isolation, which contradicts science proving that social and emotional connectedness and support are protective of mental health and positive discipline strategies.
- Child abuse prevention is anything we do as individuals, communities, or through policies to strengthen families and build community resilience. Protective factors like knowledge of child development, social connectedness, parental resilience, social emotional competence and providing concrete support in times of need all strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.
- Let caregivers know it is okay to ask for help! Encourage families to seek additional resources by calling the 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline to talk to trained professionals who can connect them with supportive programs in their area. Professionals can also be ready to help families find resources using PCA Georgia’s online map containing over 3,000 resources that assist Georgia families at www.PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org.
- We can help families thrive by supporting the expansion of evidence-based home visiting programs, such as Healthy Families America, so we can help families cope with stress and trauma.
- Another way is to support expanding family friendly policies, like paid sick and family leave, to help reduce stress on our parents and caregivers.
Social Media Content
Physical Distancing, Socially Connecting
- #BeAConnection. Share how you are being a connection, support, or resource to a friend, family or community member with us @PreventGeorgia.
- #IStayHomeFor #PinwheelsforPrevention. We’re calling on you to design and create your own pinwheels and share them with us via Facebook! We want to see pictures of pinwheels of all shapes, sizes, media and materials coming to life in your homes, whether you draw, color, sculpt, paint, knit, or any other way you find to make a pinwheel. Share it with us all month long at @PreventGeorgia !
- #ShareYourService. If you are at low-risk and able to support local organizations sort/deliver food, bring supplies to vulnerable populations, or donate to local child serving organizations, we what you to share!
Share your posts and activities with us by tagging @PreventGeorgia!
Tips
- Always include images. Images help grab your audience’s attention while scrolling through their social feed. Use the campaign images provided or create your own. You can find quality (and free!) stock images on websites like Unsplash.com.
- Prioritize video content. Videos have higher engagement rates and tend to outperform static image posts.
- Keep content short, colloquial and to-the-point. The more ad-like it sounds, the lower it will perform and be sure to tag your friends and organizational partners!
- Include a call-to-action to encourage your audience to engage. Whether you want people to click through to your website, share, or comment, make sure you tell your audience what you want. Your calls-to-action can be anything from an intriguing question, a “tease” to entice people to click or read more, or an explicit request.
- Don’t overload your page with donation requests, event invites, etc. Always try to add value to your page and provide interesting and informative content for your audience.
- Use Facebook Insights to help guide content development. The tool can help you learn more about the demographics of your audience, what times of day they are the most active, and which types of content are being interacted with the most.
- Interaction rates on Facebook and other platforms are highest during non-work hours (beginning after 2 PM ), so when you’re posting engaging content, try to do it in the late afternoon.
What is Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention?
ANYTHING that strengthens families and helps children thrive!
The prevention of child abuse and neglect cannot be achieved with one program or one strategy. Programs that only target caregivers are shown to improve parent-child interactions, but don’t account for other root causes of maltreatment such as social isolation, poverty, community violence, and other stressors. It requires a comprehensive approach with strategies at many different levels and with multiple sectors working together.
WHEN
They occur: primary or secondary prevention (before abuse or neglect occurs) or tertiary (after it has occurred)
WHAT
Level of the social ecology they are intended to impact (societal, community, relationship, individual)
WHO
Are the strategies designed to influence (everyone,those at greatest risk, or those who have already experienced abuse)
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL: Safe, Stable & Nurturing Family Relationships
Primary Prevention
- Caregivers seek supportive resources through the 1-800-CHILDREN helpline
- Caregivers attend a parenting group/class on child development
- Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention programs
Secondary Prevention
- Home visiting programs: Parents as Teachers, Nurse Family Partnership, and Healthy Families
- Parenting education programs: Triple P or Nurturing Parenting
- Substance abuse or behavioral health services for parents prior to report of abuse/neglect
Tertiary Prevention
- Therapy for sexual abuse victims (Child Advocacy Centers of Georgia)
- Home visiting/parenting education for families referred by DFCS, like SafeCare
- Substance abuse or behavioral health services for parent/caregiver reported to DFCS
COMMUNITY LEVEL: Supportive Communities & Environments
Primary Prevention
- Advocate for family friendly policies
- Family Connection Partnerships improve well-being via coalitions
- Community/professional training: Second Step, a Social-Emotional Learning program in schools, Strengthening Families, and Connections Matter
Secondary Prevention
- Professionals are trained on mandated reporting to respond and report suspected abuse, preventing further harm
- Georgia Family Support Network provides resources to families
Tertiary Prevention
- Abuse/domestic violence support groups and resources in communities
- Protective laws for victims and survivors of domestic violence or trafficking
SOCIETAL LEVEL: Commitments & Investments
Primary Prevention
- Equitable access and opportunities
- Accessible healthcare and quality childcare
- Housing stability and affordability
- Businesses offer paid parent leave
Secondary Prevention
- Childcare subsidies for families (CAPS)
- Food and nutritional programs for women and young children (WIC)
- College grants based on income
Tertiary Prevention
- Federal funding to services for victims of crimes: therapy, housing, and crisis support
- Drug and criminal justice reform
How can I participate?
#IStayAtHomeFor #PinwheelsforPrevention Crafting Competition
Child Abuse Prevention Month means… PINWHEELS! This year we are having an #IStayAtHomeFor #PinwheelsforPrevention crafting competition. We’re calling on you to design and create your own pinwheels and share them with us via Facebook! We want to see pictures of pinwheels of all shapes, sizes, media and materials coming to life in your homes, whether you draw, color, sculpt, paint, knit, or any other way you find to make a pinwheel. Share it with us all month long at @PreventGeorgia ! At the end of the month, we’ll announce the top three most creative Pinwheels and yes, THERE ARE PRIZES- Get crafting!
Do you have any fun pinwheel activities I can do with my children / students?
Absolutely! You can download a pinwheel coloring sheet that is great for children of all ages. For older children, download instructions on how to make your own paper pinwheel!
Pinwheels for 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. Prevent Child Abuse Georgia (PCA GA) encourages community activities and the support of public policies that prioritize healthy child development and child abuse prevention right from the start!
The classic blue and silver Pinwheels for Prevention® are available for purchase through PCA Georgia’s online store.
Positive Messaging! Research shows that while horrific stories of child abuse and neglect may gain short-term media attention, this approach is not successful in building lasting public will for effective prevention efforts. To promote lasting change, the pinwheel messages must focus on proposing effective solutions and engaging people in positive, preventative action they can take on their own.
Talking Points, We All Have a Role to Play
Everyone can make a difference in a child’s life and as a community member, it is your responsibility to not only help people realize this, but to also communicate specifically how they can help. “Pinwheel gardens” planted in communities across the nation are visual reminders that we all play a role in ensuring happy and healthy childhoods for all children everywhere. Their presence has resulted in increased awareness, expanded dialogue and community engagement around the healthy development of all children and the prevention of child abuse before it ever occurs.
What is the call to action?
There are simple things people can do every day to make a difference, and in fact research from Prevent Child Abuse America suggests they’re probably already helping! Whether it’s mentoring children through a local pre- or after-school program, providing relief to an overburdened family by volunteering to babysit, or preparing a ready-make meal, there are many things you can do to promote great childhoods and strengthen families in your community!
Connect Pinwheels and Pinwheel Gardens to community resources or needs, let others know how they can help families in their community!
- Avoid giving lots of numbers, pick just one thought-provoking statistic
- Educate people on what child abuse prevention is and looks like in action
- Talk about the importance of healthy child development
- Focus on success stories and community
- Give specific actions others (individuals, business, etc.) can do to get involved
Connecting Pinwheels to local resources or the 1-800-CHILDREN community resource helpline are great ways to share and educate families on supportive programs near them.
Proclamation Template
Sample Proclamation
WHEREAS: Children are critical to Georgia’s future success, prosperity, and quality of life. While children are our most valuable resource, they are also our most vulnerable. Children have a right to be safe and an opportunity to thrive, learn, and grow in an environment that fosters healthy development; and
WHEREAS: Child abuse and neglect can be prevented by supporting and strengthening Georgia’s families, thus preventing the far-reaching effects of maltreatment and providing the opportunity for children to develop healthy, trusting family bonds, and consequently, building the foundations of communities; and
WHEREAS: Effectively intervening in the lives of children threatened by abuse is a shared responsibility, and Georgia’s citizens must come together so that the voices of our children are heard by all. We all must ensure that our communities are extending helping hands to children and families in need; and
WHEREAS: Effective child abuse prevention strategies succeed because of partnerships created among citizens, human service agencies, schools, faith communities, health care providers, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community; and
WHEREAS: By providing a safe and nurturing environment for our children, free of violence, abuse and neglect, we can ensure that Georgia’s children will grow to their full potential as the next generation of leaders, helping to secure the future of this state and nation; now
Therefore: I, [Name of official], [official title], do hereby proclaim April 2020, as CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH in Georgia and urge families and communities to become involved in protecting Georgia’s children.
In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of
The Executive Department to be affixed this ______ in the year two thousand and twenty.
Sample Gov. Proclamation Press Release
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
For Immediate Release
Governor Kemp and <Insert Organization> Recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month in Georgia
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
CITY- <Insert Organization> is encouraging communities across the state to participate in activities to recognize the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. April was first proclaimed as Child Abuse Prevention Month nationally in 1983. Ever since then, state chapters of Prevent Child Abuse America, as well as other child welfare advocates have also commemorated April as Child Abuse Prevention Month at both the state and local level. Governor Kemp has continued this tradition to raise awareness for Georgia’s most vulnerable population by officially proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
This year <Insert Organization> and Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia urges individuals and organizations across Georgia to join the discussion on ‘Nurturing Communities’ through three activities.
Spark a different conversation around your dinner table this spring by inviting your friends, neighbors, or colleagues over for a Civic Dinner to talk about ‘Nurturing Communities’. When you sign-up to host you will receive a guide asking three big questions to lead people into conversations around creating safe, stable and nurturing relationships and environments for all children.
Raise awareness and show unity by wearing blue on Friday, April 5, Georgia’s “Wear Blue” Day. Join online by posting your office or organization wearing blue to social media and use the Twibbon Facebook filter that will be live across the nation throughout April, provided by Prevent Child Abuse America.
Finally, join the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign by planting the PCA Georgia blue pinwheel in front of your house or place of business. In April, over 15,000 pinwheels will be planted around the state that “serve as powerful visual reminders that we all play a role in ensuring happy and healthy childhoods for all children everywhere,” as stated by Julia Neighbors, Director of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia.
<Insert brief organization description and any APRIL plans>
To learn more about <insert organization> and Child Abuse Prevention Month activities around Georgia, visit <insert web address> and PCAGeorgia.org.
Date
Contact:
Name
Position, Title
Phone/ Email
Press Release Templates
Tips: Press releases are written in a journalistic style that heavily emphasizes the “Who, What, When, Where and Why” style of information-sharing. These are often written in an “inverted pyramid” style with the most important information at top and in decreasing order of importance from there so that if a media outlet prints your press release as a news story (which happens) but can only run a portion, you have conveyed the most important information.
Child Abuse Prevention Month Press Release
(CITY, STATE)—[Organization] along with Prevent Child Abuse Georgia encourages people across the state to participate in this year’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month by sharing their talents and time to help create better, brighter futures for children and families. Even the smallest steps can make a big difference in a child’s life–and a parent’s as well.
Every day connections are more important than we ever believed. Science tells us that relationships have the power to shape our brains. Relationships help us learn better, work better, parent better. When we experience tough times, they help us heal. With each connection, we develop a healthier stronger community.
“Everyone wants to provide and nurture their child in a positive, healthy environment, but parents need a little extra support every now and then,” said Julia Neighbors, Director at Prevent Child Abuse Georgia. “That’s why we’re asking people to proactively engage parents in their local community and offer their support- whether it’s by making a meal for a family, reading to or tutoring a child, or just connecting a family with local resources.”
Suggestions from Prevent Child Abuse Georgia to help support parents and create great childhoods for children in your community while doing what you love include:
- Volunteer for an after-school mentoring program.
- Give a new mom a break by bringing over dinner or offering to babysit.
- Coach a youth sports team to teach kids the value of teamwork—they’ll learn how to trust teammates and themselves.
- Organize a Connections Matter training in your community to help every understand how they can make a difference in the life of a child. ConnectionsMatterGA.org
- Encourage families you know to call the 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline to talk to trained professionals who will connect them with supportive programs in their area. You can search for support services online by local through the Georgia Resource Map, PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org.
We all share a responsibility for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children and their families. [Insert Organization] and PCA Georgia encourages everyone in the state to do what they love this April and help ensure great childhoods in their community.
# # #
Pinwheels Press Release
(CITY, STATE)—[Organization] will be at [LOCATION] on [DATE] to plant a Pinwheels for Prevention® garden and show support for children and families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Pinwheels connote happy, healthy childhoods and have become the national symbol of child abuse prevention. Advocates and volunteers across the state come together annually to plant pinwheel gardens in their communities, drawing attention to the need for effective programs and policies that ensure the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children and their families.
Each year over 15,000 pinwheels are planted in the state through Prevent Child Abuse Georgia’s Pinwheels for Prevention® Campaign. In addition to planting pinwheel gardens, people are encouraged to participate in positive, supportive activities throughout Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“Small steps can make a big difference in a child’s life,” explained Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Director, Julia Neighbors. “We want to help people understand that it’s possible to do the things they love— whether it’s by making a meal for a family, reading to or tutoring a child, or just connecting a family with local resources.”
In addition to planting pinwheel gardens, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia encourages everyone to help support parents and create great childhoods through the following actions.
- Volunteer for an after-school mentoring program.
- Give a new mom a break by bringing over dinner or offering to babysit.
- Coach a youth sports team to teach kids the value of teamwork—they’ll learn how to trust teammates and themselves.
- Organize a Connections Matter training in your community to help every understand how they can make a difference in the life of a child. ConnectionsMatterGA.org
- Encourage families you know to call the 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline to talk to trained professionals who will connect them with supportive programs in their area.
- Go online to use the 1-800-CHILDREN Resource Map, PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org, which contains over 3,000 local and statewide programs designed to assist and support families.
[Insert your organizations information here]
# # #
Wear Blue Day Press Release
(CITY, STATE)—Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and [Insert Organization] invite people across the state to wear blue on Friday, April 3, to show support for children and families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Georgia has recently updated the State’s Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan outlining prevention strategies that individuals, communities and organizations can participate in! Wear Blue Day is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to collectively raise awareness for effective programs and policies that help children and families thrive.
“Small steps can make a big difference in a child’s life,” explained Prevent Child Abuse Georgia Director, Julia Neighbors. “We want to help people understand that it’s possible to do the things they love— whether it’s by making a meal for a family, reading to or tutoring a child, or just connecting a family with local resources.”
In addition to wearing blue, Prevent Child Abuse Georgia encourages everyone to help support parents and create great childhoods for children in your community while doing what you love such as:
- Volunteer for an after-school mentoring program.
- Give a new mom a break by bringing over dinner or offering to babysit.
- Coach a youth sports team to teach kids the value of teamwork—they’ll learn how to trust teammates and themselves.
- Organize a Connections Matter training in your community to help every understand how they can make a difference in the life of a child. ConnectionsMatterGA.org
- Encourage families you know to call the 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline to talk to trained professionals who will connect them with supportive programs in their area. You can search for support services online by local through the Georgia Resource Map PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org.
[Insert short description of your organization here]
# # #
Letters to the Editor
Letters to the editor (LTEs) get the most attention when they respond directly to a recent event or article in the news. When writing to your local news outlet, be sure to reference a specific story or community issue that’s related to child health and well-being. Also, verify the maximum word count for the outlet to which you’re writing; if your LTE is too long it will either be discarded or edited by someone else, sometimes deleting important elements. Up to 250 words is typical for local and regional papers, but many larger newspapers are limited to 150 or so, and some magazines limit letters to less than 100 words.
Long Sample
Letter to the editor, intended for publication
Your recent coverage of [APPLICABLE STORY IN YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER] reinforces that we all share a responsibility for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children and their families in [Georgia or CITY]. And since April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it’s the perfect time to help people understand that it’s possible to do the things they love and help families and their community thrive. Small steps can make a big difference in a child’s life–and a parent’s.
Everyone wants to provide and nurture their child in a positive, healthy environment, but sometimes parents need a little support along the way. That’s why we encourage community members to proactively engage parents and offer your support. Here are some suggestions:
- Volunteer for an after-school mentoring program.
- Give a new mom a break by bringing over dinner or offering to babysit.
- Coach a youth sports team to teach kids the value of teamwork—they’ll learn how to trust teammates and themselves.
- Encourage families you know to call the 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline to talk to trained professionals who will connect them with supportive programs in their area.
- Go online to use the 1-800-CHILDREN Resource Map, PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org, which contains over 3,000 local and statewide programs designed to assist and support families. See what services are available in the areas you live.
Collectively, these small steps will help create better, brighter futures for children and families in [STATE or CITY].
Sincerely,
[NAME, TITLE]
[ORGANIZATION]
Short Sample (150 words)
Letter to the editor, intended for publication
Your recent coverage of [APPLICABLE STORY IN YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER] reinforces that we all share a responsibility for the well-being of children and their families in [STATE or CITY]. And since April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, it’s the perfect time to help people understand that it’s possible to do the things they love and help families and their community thrive.
All parents want to provide and nurture their child in a positive, healthy environment, but sometimes they need a little extra support along the way. That’s why I encourage everyone to proactively engage parents in their community and offer your support—whether it’s by making a meal for the family or reading to a child. An easy way for professionals and caregivers to find supportive resources in their community is by calling 1-800-CHILDREN (244-5373), PCAGeorgiaHelpline.org.
Collectively, these small steps will help create better, brighter futures for children and families in [STATE or CITY].
Sincerely,
[NAME, TITLE]
[ORGANIZATION]
Downloadable Activities and Resources
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Print our your sign and let us know what you do to support children and families! Tag us @PreventGeorgia |
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Pinwheel Fact Sheet |
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Download Infographic |
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PCA Georgia CAP Month Community Resource Guide |
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2018/2019 Child Welfare Prevention Resource Guide |
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Recommendation:
Faith communities to help prevent child sexual abuse
God Made All of Me by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb is an invaluable resource and beautifully illustrated story to help families talk about sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children.
Because the private parts of our bodies are private, home is the ideal environment for a child to learn about his or her body and how it should be treated by others—without conveying a message of shame.
Through carefully written language and relatable storytelling, God Made All of Me helps parents navigate discussion that can so easily be warped into confusion, embarrassment, and secrecy.
Instead of instilling a message that their bodies are shameful—which can often prevent children from recognizing and reporting sexual abuse—Justin and Lindsey Holcomb equip parents to build a first line of defense against sexual abuse in the safety of their own homes. Read more...
PCA Georgia recommends adding a 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline sticker to this book if you are planning to distribute them. This book may raise questions for parents or caregivers and 1-800-CHILDREN is design to help parents with tough questions and locate local resources that support families. Download stickers to print on Avery Template 5293 or request stickers be mailed directly to you.
Want More?
WE CAN- Work to End Child Abuse and Neglect -The Children’s Bureau and CANTASD offers a collection (over 100) of social media posts and images.
Shared Message Bank – Early Childhood Colorado Partnership
Belonging for Hope– GA DFCS Prevention and Community Support Section
Please Note: that Pinwheels for Prevention® and the blue pinwheel mark are both trademarked by Prevent Child Abuse America. All campaign material must be attributed to PCA Georgia. If you have any questions, need assistance customizing any of the campaign components, or need help with trademarked materials or any other partner-related questions, please contact us at PreventChildAbuseGA@gsu.edu. We also ask that pinwheels are not used with negative or graphic content (a common example is the number of child deaths in a given year) because prevention is about promoting programs and resources that strengthen families.