April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

(CHICAGO) - Join the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Hospital Sisters Health System, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children, elected officials, child welfare stakeholders and more for a month-long observance to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness messages and promote prevention efforts during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

This year's theme, Building Together, Prevention in Partnership, is a call to action to recognize that everyone in the community has a role to play in ensuring children grow up safe and loved; and families have the resources they need to thrive.

"Every day our dedicated team of professionals works tirelessly not only to respond to reports of abuse and neglect but to also provide access to services to parents who need them," said Illinois DCFS Director Marc D. Smith. "This year's Child Abuse Prevention Month theme goes hand in hand with our mission to transform the state's child welfare system by focusing on prevention services. Through our innovative programs and collaboration with our network of state agencies, private agency partners and community service providers we are building a child well-being system that will meet the unique needs of every child and family we serve, because together we are stronger."

"We all have a responsibility to ensure children have positive experiences; and families have the resources they need, when they need them," said Denise McCaffrey, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. "Building healthy communities takes work but the results are worth it."

To heighten awareness, Illinois DCFS will host events across the state in observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month. All Illinoisans can get involved and show their commitment to ending child abuse by wearing blue on April 7, posting pictures on social media, tagging DCFS in their posts and using the hashtags #GreatChildhoods and #GoBlueIllinois.

Upcoming Events:

Friday, March 31, 2023

Edwardsville kickoff event

10 a.m.

Madison County Government Building

157 N. Main Street, Edwardsville

Watch the livestream: http://www.riverbender.com/video/live/details.cfm?id=1284

Friday, March 31, 2023

Carterville kickoff event

1 p.m.

John A. Logan College (Building H Atrium)

700 Logan College Drive, Carterville

Watch the livestream: www.facebook.com/preventchildabuseillinois/

Tuesday, April 4, 2023

Statewide virtual kickoff and training featuring human trafficking survivor and sexual assault advocate case manager Kim White

1 p.m.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Mcy7lQeURyaUE8tsjWvNTA

Friday, Saturday, April 1 through Friday, April 28, 2023

Aurora Art Exhibit

Paramount School of the Arts

20 S. Stolp Ave., Aurora

The exhibit will feature artwork created by children who are currently in care or have been in care, students, local artists and individuals who care about children.

For a full calendar of Child Abuse Prevention Month awareness activities occurring statewide throughout the month of April, click here.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, visit the DCFS Online Reporting System at https://childabuse.illinois.gov. The online system is an easy way for anyone to report suspected child abuse or neglect using any mobile device. In an emergency, call the DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). Calls and online reports may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Founded in 1964, DCFS is responsible for protecting children from abuse or neglect by responding to reports received by the Child Abuse Hotline at childabuse.illinois.gov (non-emergency situations) or 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). With the goal of keeping children safe, DCFS strengthens and supports families with a wide range of services. When keeping a child safe means removing them from the home, DCFS makes every effort to reunite them with their family. When the best interest of the child makes this impossible, DCFS is committed to pursuing guardianship or adoption by loving families to provide children with a safe and permanent home. DCFS is also responsible for licensing and monitoring of all Illinois child welfare