Abuse Prevention Month

Blog Entry: April 16, 2026

April's entries to my blog are dedicated to child abuse prevention month.

Thumbs up to the following individuals and organizations for what they are doing to raise child abuse awareness in the United States:

Double thumbs up to the Dr. Phil Foundation for working to provide children safe housing, medical and health services, education and job training, emotional support, and connections they need to succeed.

During child abuse prevention month there is lots of talk about raising awareness, but we seldom hear about foster care children. Not with the Dr. Phil Foundation. Thumbs up for the work done with children after child abuse, and after a child is removed from their home and placed in foster care.

The Dr. Phil show that aired Friday, April 14th showcased adults and children making a difference. Check it out at http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/709

To the Howard Phillips Center for Children and Families in Orlando, Florida for providing care to children and their families who are victims of abuse and neglect.

Not only does the center provide treatment for sexual and physical abuse, their "Healthy Families Orange" program provides home-based services to families of newborns. The program has virtually eliminated child abuse and neglect among its participants.

In Florida, report child abuse at the Florida Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96ABUSE

To Cleveland County in Oklahoma for placing 51 small, blue pinwheels on the front lawn of the Norman City Hall as part of recognition of child abuse prevention month. Each of the pinwheels represents a child who died in Oklahoma last year because of abuse and/or neglect. The colour blue represents the bruised and battered body of an abused child.

Other events scheduled for child abuse prevention month include a birthday party for 2-year-olds, and an "I love my neighbourhood" party at Wilson Elementary School on Thursday, April 20th. James Garner of Rockford fame will be in attendance at the school for the party. Mr. Garner was once a student at Wilson Elementary.

To the Family Resource Center in Tupelo, Mississippi for offering free parenting classes three days a week. Participants learn how to deal with stress, how to discipline without hitting, how to prevent neglect, and how to recognize abusive behaviour.

To the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Coos County, Oregon for hosting the Light of Hope Candlelight Vigil to raise awareness of child abuse in their county. The event will be held Saturday, April 22nd at 7 p.m. at the Coos Bay Boardwalk as part of local efforts to support child abuse prevention month. Bring your own candle if you plan to attend. There will be guest speakers, and music by the South Coast Peace Choir.

To the citizens of Alton, Illinois for wearing royal-blue ribbons, and the police department for tying blue ribbons on their squad cars during the month of April in order to raise child abuse awareness in their community.

To River Bend Community Outreach, also in Alton, Illinois, for sponsoring a program to educate people about child abuse during national child abuse prevention month.

To Sgt. David Groins, director the community services unit at the Alton Police Department, who gave a 40-minute presentation to adults and children about the signs, effects and types of child abuse.

To Lee County in Tupelo, Mississippi for taking child abuse seriously in the community by hiring an investigator for the sole purpose of dealing with child abuse cases.

Donna Franks was hired in 2004 to handle child abuse cases from start to finish in Lee County. In the past two years, 9 child abusers have been convicted and are serving prison sentences that range from 10 years to life.

To Donna Franks, primary investigator of child abuse cases in Lee County, for her statement: ". . . every day should be child abuse prevention day."

For other lists of "thumbs up" events, check out these entries:
     April 13th
     April 14th
     April 15th

If you, or someone you know is organizing an event for Child Abuse Prevention Month and would like me to post the information, send me the details on the Thumbs Up, Comments & Ideas form below. I'll do my best to post it in the next day or two.