Join the Movement: Impactful Ways to Get Involved in Child Abuse Prevention This April
April is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to prevent child abuse and neglect. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and stable environment, yet sadly, child abuse remains a persistent and pervasive problem in our communities. However, it is preventable.
Child abuse and neglect have profound and lasting effects, not only on the individual child but on families, communities, and society as a whole. In 2022, there were 55,717 reported survivors of abuse in the Bay Area. A small percentage, 6%, were verified as abuse. Imagine if we could strengthen all families—in their own communities—where they can thrive and safely stay together. Child abuse and neglect are preventable, and each of us has a role to play in creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments for children and families. By understanding and addressing the factors that put individuals at risk—as well as protective factors—we can work towards building resilient communities where all children can thrive.
The Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition members have joined forces to increase awareness about child and family well-being. Throughout this month, we invite you to join us in raising awareness and taking action. Explore our event calendar, filled with activities hosted by community partners across the region. By participating in these events, you can educate yourself, advocate for change, and show your commitment to keeping children safe.
Together, we can make a difference. Let's work together to protect children and families and build a brighter future for our communities.
The Greater Bay Area Child Abuse Prevention Council Coalition represents ten counties coordinating resources, advocating for public policy, producing conferences, and sharing best practices. The ten Bay Area counties include: Alameda County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Contra Costa Child Abuse Prevention Council, Marin County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Monterey County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Napa County Child Abuse Prevention Council (COPE Family Services), Safe & Sound – San Francisco, San Mateo County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Santa Clara County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Solano County Child Abuse Prevention Council (Children’s Network), Sonoma County Child Abuse Prevention Council (Child Parent Institute).
Safe & Sound has collaborated with San Francisco’s Family and Children’s Services department to develop a proclamation to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in San Francisco. The proclamation will be presented to the Commission of the Human Services Agency for approval and adoption.
Around Napa County, there will be Blue Ribbon Month Displays with 109 Pinwheels in each location. Each pinwheel represents the number of confirmed cases of child abuse and neglect in the county. Blue Pinwheels represent the whimsy and carefree childhood every child should have. Visit these displays to learn more and help raise awareness for child abuse prevention! Learn more.
Support local businesses and child abuse prevention at the same time! Local businesses are taking a stand to make child abuse prevention a priority in our community. Join them by dining, shopping and sipping with them all through April. Learn more.
Please join us for a fundraising event in support of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. The event will take place at Skipolini’s Pizza located in Concord, at 2100 Salvio Street, on Monday, April 1st, and Wednesday, April 3rd. To show your support for the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC), please mention to your server that you are there to support CAPC. For every purchase you make, CAPC will receive of the total amount. If you place an online order, please mention the ‘dine and donate’ event under the Special request’ button.
Thank you for supporting the children and families in our community.
In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Mayor’s Office will light up the City Hall Dome in blue. 7:15pm approximately (sunset).
Proclamation Presentation.
Please join us for a fundraising event in support of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month. The event will take place at Skipolini’s Pizza located in Concord, at 2100 Salvio Street, on Monday, April 1st, and Wednesday, April 3rd. To show your support for the Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC), please mention to your server that you are there to support CAPC. For every purchase you make, CAPC will receive of the total amount. If you place an online order, please mention the ‘dine and donate’ event under the Special request’ button.
Thank you for supporting the children and families in our community.
This experiential workshop will introduce service providers and those working with families to the uber useful and practical Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework. During the introduction, the first of three sessions, participants will explore all 5 Protective Factors and learn about the seven program strategies that keep children safe and families strong. Participants will have the opportunity to draw from their own personal and professional experiences to enhance and deepen their engagement with families. Register here.
This first webinar will kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month beginning with guest speaker, Shimica Gaskins, centering the discussion with anti-poverty as a primary prevention strategy. Shimica Gaskins is the President & CEO of GRACE & End Child Poverty CA, and she has worked in law and public policy specializing in legislative, regulatory and policy issues associated with criminal justice reform and children’s rights. Later in the webinar, we will be joined by a panel of representatives discussing statewide supports available to prevent child abuse, strengthen communities, and promote economic well-being for families. Register here.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! Join the member agencies of Solano Child Abuse Prevention Council and #WearBlueforKids on Friday, April 5 to show your support and raise awareness for child abuse prevention!
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month! Join the member agencies of Strong Families Alliance of Alameda County and #WearBlueforKids on Friday, April 5 to show your support and raise awareness for child abuse prevention!
Reading! Singing! Dancing! Prizes! FREE and in person Family Story Time at Oakland Public Library’s Golden Gate Branch for children and their parents/caregivers. Register here.
Supervisor Ellenberg will read the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamations and facilitate the raising of the Child Abuse Prevention flag.
Proclamation presentation.
The Center for Child Protection is hosting a Chalk the Walk event on April 10 in the back courtyard of Children’s Hospital Oakland. Staff and families will be invited to the courtyard to write messages of awareness, hope and prevention with chalk on the sidewalks. Resource tables will include such items as positive discipline from the No Hit Zone program. Light refreshments provided.
In the 2nd of 3 Strengthening Families Protective Factors workshops participants will explore what it really means to “Take Care of Yourself” from a Protective Factors perspective. We will explore how Resilience, Positive Social Connections, and Concrete Supports in Times of Need helps parents/caregivers reduce stress which keeps children safe and families strong. Register here.
There is a vast array of resources available to families throughout California. This webinar provides a glimpse into two examples of community-based programs serving priority populations. The webinar will begin with a brief overview of the programs followed by a panel discussion on how these programs have explored the needs of families and acted in response to those needs to strengthen families and prevent child maltreatment. Register here.
Join us for brief remarks from Dr. Bottoms, a research presentation from the Paul Crissey Award recipient, an appreciation for all the award recipients, and fabulous door prizes! Learn more.
Join CPI on Thursday, April 11 at 10:00am (PST), for an inspiring presentation from Chan Hellman, PhD, about how hope has emerged as one of the top factors leading to our capacity to thrive. Based upon 15 years of research and practice with agencies serving survivors of trauma, this presentation will look closely at the science and power of hope as a psychological strength in our ability to cope with traumatic experiences and describe simple evidence based strategies to increase hope for both children and adults. Learn more.
The Child Abuse Prevention Council of Santa Clara County will have our in-person Symposium on 4/12 at Villa Rausa. Register here.
Join us at this FREE family fun event where there will be many resources for parents and families, activities and games for children, entertainment, food and so much more. Get ready for a day of fun, festivity and family! Learn more.
Grab some sidewalk chalk and draw, write, and play with your kids! Write messages of hope such as “Love shouldn’t hurt”, “No excuse for abuse” or come up with your own. #KeepKidsSafe
In the 3rd of 3 Strengthening Families Protective Factors workshops participants will explore the last two Protective Factors in the series. Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development and The Social and Emotional Competence of Children. Participants will also have the opportunity to begin drafting a plan to build Protective Factors with families by introducing small but significant changes in their everyday work with families, because even seemingly mundane and routine interactions are opportunities to enhance relationships and build protective factors. Register here.
Many families seeking services come with a myriad of identities, backgrounds, and experiences. This webinar will explore the intersectionality of identities and how programs can tailor services to be responsive, supportive, and inclusive. The presentations, and following panel, will include discussions from two organizations that serve parents/caregivers and children/youth with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) and differing intellectual and/or developmental disabilities: two populations at greater risk for entry into Child Welfare Services. Be sure to join for a rich discussion on how organizations can enhance inclusivity to support communities. Register here.
We invite you to join us in showing your support for the great childhoods all children deserve by planting a pinwheel garden in front of the Fairfield Police Department lawn in Fairfield.
Please join Dr. Ramos, Safe & Sound’s CEO Dr. Pegah Faed, and others for a powerful discussion on the prevention of child abuse, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and toxic stress. Learn more.
The Child Abuse Prevention Council and Children and Family Services invite you to learn about the signs of child abuse and neglect, reporting requirements, county trends, and get a glimpse into the next steps children and family follows once a report is made.
Proclamation Presentation.
Spend time connecting with your baby while doing a relaxing and fun activity. This activity with help you strengthen two protective factors: Social and Emotional Competence of children and Social Connections. This activity will support your practice of nurturing parenting skills and provide emotional support by creating a safe and positive relationship with your baby.
For caregivers and infants 0-18 months. Participants will meet at 1757 Waller Street and will walk together at Golden Gate Park.
Dress your baby and yourself in warm clothes as this is an outdoor event. Bring a blanket and water! Mats will be provided.
To register, please email roxana.sanchez@safeandsound.org with your name, baby’s name and age, and phone number.
The 2024 Child Abuse Prevention Month Webinar Series will end with guest speaker, Corey Best, discussing the impact that racial justice can serve as a primary prevention strategy to reduce disparate outcomes for families and communities. Corey B. Best is a Black father, community organizer, activist, and leader who has attached himself to “justice doing” — a movement and never-ending journey of being guided by the principled struggle to advance racial justice within this nation’s child welfare and human service delivery systems. Be sure to join this transformative discussion grounded in equity and community empowerment. Register here.
In honor of the children in Alameda County and across the United States who lost their lives due to violence, Strong Families Alliance will raise the Children’s Memorial Flag on April 26 at Alameda County Social Services Agency, 24100 Amador St, Hayward, CA.
On the fourth Friday in April every year the Children’s Memorial Flag is flown statewide in memory of all the young lives lost in California due to violence in the previous year
Community awareness and fundraiser annual event. Buy tickets here.
In honor of the children in Solano County and across the United States who lost their lives due to violence, the Solano Child Abuse Prevention Council in Partnership with the Solano Health and Social Services will raise the Children’s Memorial Flag on April 26 at the Solano County Health and Social Services Courtyard, 275 Beck Avenue, Fairfield, CA 94533.
Join us for an afternoon of family fun! BANANAS UnPeeled is back at magical Fairyland in Oakland with live shows from local performers on Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm. Register here.