Mountain Child Advocacy Center (MtnCAC), along with Buncombe County Leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina (PCANC), recognizes the importance of caring connections, supportive environments, and positive experiences for all children and families during Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“We are so fortunate to live in a community that values our children and supports efforts towards making sure that every child has a happy, healthy, and thriving life every day.” Executive Director of Mountain Child Advocacy Center, Geoff Sidoli, said about our community’s support of children and families in Western North Carolina.
Children and families are facing unprecedented stress during the pandemic. But we know there are programs, strategies, and policies that are proven to strengthen families to address their basic needs and better care for their children.
“Science tells us that connections matter,” said Sharon Hirsch, PCANC President & CEO. “Our work to build positive connections, stable foundations, supportive communities, and strong families where all children can thrive has never been more important than it is now as North Carolina families grapple with additional stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Child maltreatment is a preventable problem, and the past year has shown us that supporting families is essential to prevent child maltreatment. All adults play a role in creating caring connections and nurturing environments for the healthy development of our future generation of parents, leaders, and community members. North Carolina’s future prosperity depends on it.
On April 6, Buncombe County Leadership adopted a proclamation for April Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Buncombe County Commissioner’s meeting to acknowledge the importance of efforts to prevent maltreatment and protect children.
Mountain CAC is joining prevention partners across the state and planting pinwheel gardens to show their commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect. The blue pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, representing the happy, healthy childhoods all children should have.
Join MtnCAC and PCANC to Be a connection for NC children and families during Child Abuse Prevention Month this April:
• Join the #BeAConnection Campaign April 11-17th! Visit Mountain CAC’s website to download and print a #BeAConnection sign. Record a video (or take a photo) to share ideas on how we all can support children and families in our communities. We have sample talking points you can use. Share the video (or photo) on your social media channels any day during the week of April 11-17th.
• Plant a Pinwheel in the National Virtual Pinwheel Garden to show support for Child Abuse Prevention Month. Dedicate a pinwheel to someone and choose PCANC as the benefitting chapter. Visit http://pinwheels.preventchildabuse.org.
• Participate in training on preventing, recognizing, and responding to child abuse and neglect, using our Recognizing & Responding, What is Prevention?, Prevention Action Network, or Connections Matter Training. More information and access to training at Child Maltreatment Training | FREE Online | Prevent Child Abuse NC.
Mountain Child Advocacy Center is the National Children’s Alliance accredited children’s advocacy agency providing education, prevention, advocacy, and intervention services for abused children in Buncombe County. Child Advocacy Centers bring the “system” to children. Mountain CAC provides a comfortable space at Mission Children’s Hospital for representatives from the agencies that are naturally involved in interacting with the children in one location and collaborating on effective, efficient, and child-centered casework.
Mountain CAC is setting the standard for the prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect. Annually, it reaches over 9,000 Buncombe County school children with research-based personal safety classes. Furthermore, highly skilled therapists provide evidence-based and effective approaches when treating children in their care. The center also offers adult classes and child/family advocacy.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Through this collaboration, prevention services and supports help protect children and produce thriving families.
For more information on reporting abuse and neglect, visit www.buncombecounty.org/socialwork. For information about Mountain Child Advocacy Center, visit www.mtncac.org.
Prepared by Buncombe County.