(Watertown, New York)—Healthy Families Jefferson County, along with Healthy Families America, recognizes the importance of community-based support for all children and families during National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month in April. The theme of this year’s awareness and impact campaign is “Growing a Better Tomorrow for All Children, Together.”
We can build healthier, safer, and thriving communities if we take the same approach to raising families that we do to tending a community garden on a shared piece of land. Too often, our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone. In reality, we all benefit when groups of people work together to collectively care for children, who grow up to become successful, contributing adults.
“Research shows that positive childhood experiences in nurturing environments provide fertile ground for physical and mental health, learning, and social skills,” explained Dr. Melissa Merrick, president and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse America. “By preventing child abuse and neglect we aim to holistically improve the lives of all families and the communities they live in.”
The risk to our nation’s children for experiencing child abuse and neglect in times of extreme stress and uncertainty is quite high. COVID-19 has added stressors to the lives of parents and caregivers, such as loss of employment, loss of income due to lack of paid leave, school and business closings that necessitate new childcare and homeschool arrangements, and food insecurity. We also know that these hardships disproportionately impact families of color. Although physical distancing alters the way families socially connect and interact with community services, we must ensure these supportive resources are still in place to help strengthen families in our communities.
Healthy Families Jefferson County recommends the following ways that people everywhere can dig in and help raise awareness and impact during this year’s CAP Month:
- Plant seeds of change with your little ones by contacting us for a #GrowingBetterTogether planting kit. Kits include seeds, soil, biodegradable pots, and pinwheels.
- Wear blue on Thursday, April 1, National Wear Blue Day, to show support for children and families. Include the #WearBlueDay2021 and #GrowingBetterTogether in your posts.
- Mark your calendars for April 21, 2021—Digital Advocacy Day! Contact your elected officials and spread the word about policy changes that are vital to the well-being of children and their families.
- Encourage families you know to call the 1-800-CHILDREN (1-800-244-5373) Helpline to talk to trained professionals who will connect them with supportive programs in their area.
We all share a responsibility for the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of children and their families. Healthy Families Jefferson County encourages everyone in the North Country to help strengthen families in their community this April.
You can learn more about how Healthy Families help positive childhoods take root by visiting Healthy Families America.
For more ways to get involved in CAP Month, please visit Prevent Child Abuse America.