By Betsy Langston, MS/LMFT, CCCC ECE Support Services Manager |

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month! In 2008 Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the “Pinwheels for Prevention®” campaign. This yearly campaign encourages efforts made at all levels of society to ensure safe, stable and nurturing environments for children. You may notice blue pinwheels “planted” around your community to remind us of the innocence of childhood and that “we all play a role in children’s lives.” 

While child abuse reports have decreased during the pandemic, experts in the field are extremely concerned about the welfare of children and families due to increased likelihood of trauma from a variety of stress factors resulting from pandemic measures. In an effort to support parents during the pandemic, Prevent Child Abuse Oregon has partnered with Dr. Amy Stoeber to provide free parent support opportunities. Click here to access these free resources.

As one of the many agencies in our county participating in the “Pinwheels for Prevention®” campaign, Clackamas County Children’s Commission encourages our staff and families to help raise awareness by teaching children about safe relationships. The Committee for Children offers “How-To” guides for having conversations with our children.  The staff at Clackamas County Children’s Commission are available to help connect any of our parents and/or caregivers to supportive resources. Are you an enrolled CCCC family looking for support? Reach out to your child’s teacher or home visitor or call 503-675-4565.

For more information and resources visit the following websites:

Childwelfare.gov

Preventchildabuseoregon.org