April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.  It recognizes the importance working together to strengthen families to prevent child abuse and neglect. A goal of Child Abuse Prevention Month is to promote prevention services and supports to help protect children and produce thriving families.  

In Dare County, the Children and Youth Partnership (CYP) and Dare County Department of Health & Human Services partner during Child Abuse Prevention Month to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and educate the  community on the resources available to support families.  

Friday April 1, 2022 all individuals in Dare County are asked to support Child Abuse Prevention Month by wearing blue and taking a picture of yourself, your unit, your team, or your department wearing blue in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month and share those photos on your social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay2022 and #BeAConnection. Please also email your photos to share Molly McGinnis, Family Support Services Coordinator with CYP, at mmcginnis@darekids.org. Submitted photos will be added to CYP’s  social media page spotlighting your support for Child Abuse Prevention Month.  

During the month of April you will also see the Child Abuse Prevention displays throughout the community. There will be one at the Kill Devil Hills Fire Department, COA in Manteo, and Spa Koru in Avon. Pinwheels and/or signs are also available for places of business by contacting Molly McGinnis mmcginnis@darekids.org or  252.441.0614.

For more information on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, please visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/. For more information on Family or Prevention Services with Dare County Department of Health & Human Services, please visit: https://www.darenc.com/departments/health-human-services-/our-units/family-services. For more information on Children and Youth Partnership, please visit http://darekids.org/.