(Montpelier, VT) - On April 4, 2023, Governor Phil Scott signed a declaration naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Vermont. A press conference at the State House led by Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (PCAVT) Board Chair Leslie DeMars, MD, featured Lt. Governor David Zuckerman reading the proclamation and sharing his thoughts. Also sharing remarks acknowledging the proclamation and the importance of prevention were Commissioner of the Department of Children and Families, Chris Winters, and Secretary of the Agency of Human Services, Jenny Samuelson.

PCAVT and the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), recognize that all community members have a role in ensuring children have positive experiences and families have the resources they need when they need them, well before they are in crisis, and acknowledge the value of prevention programs during National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month in April. The theme of this year’s awareness and impact campaign is “Building Together: Prevention in Partnership.” Volunteers and staff planted 1,000 pinwheels, the symbol for child abuse prevention, on the State House Lawn in the morning.

“It’s never been truer that communities today need to band together in collective ways that help our families and children thrive. Too often, our society thinks of raising healthy children as a parent or caregiver’s responsibility alone,” said Linda E Johnson, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont. “In reality, we all benefit when families, neighbors and community groups work together to collectively care for children.”

Extreme stress and uncertainty for families may increase the risk of child abuse and neglect raising the need to support families and prevent abuse before it occurs. Child abuse and neglect are preventable, and all communities benefit when children and families are well supported.

Prevent Child Abuse Vermont recommends local community members help raise awareness and impact through the following simple action items this April and beyond.

Follow Prevent Child Abuse Vermont on social media and share our posts throughout April and beyond. Encourage friends and family to do the same. (@pcavt)
Plant a pinwheel garden. Pinwheels are the symbol of child abuse prevention, and the happy and safe childhood every child deserves. Contact pcavt@pcavt.org to purchase pinwheels, and plant in your yard to show your support and raise awareness.
Find a calendar of family friendly activities and other resources at pcavt.org/cap.
Make a tax-deductible donation to PCAVT at pcavt.org/donate.
Find out about volunteering for your local Parent Child Center or youth serving organization.