In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Sacramento County Child Protective Services (CPS) staff planted 300 pinwheels on the lawn of the Child Protective Services office on Branch Center Road. Several staff members spent the afternoon of April 10 planting the pinwheels. The pinwheels bring awareness to the County's commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect. The pinwheels will be on display throughout the month of April.
Prevent Child Abuse America introduced the pinwheel as the national symbol for child abuse in 2008. The pinwheels represent the whimsical nature of childhood. They also symbolize that every child deserves a safe and healthy childhood. Learn more about the history behind the pinwheel plantings.
Sacramento County CPS Social Workers work tirelessly to strengthen and support children and families in Sacramento County. The pinwheel planting project serves as a reminder of the daily efforts needed by the entire community to keep children safe and prevent abuse.
Sacramento County's Child Protective Services Staff shares these tips for preventing child abuse and neglect:
- Be a friend to a parent you know. Ask how their children are doing. Draw on your own experiences to provide reassurance and support. If a parent seems to be struggling, offer to babysit or run errands, or just lend a friendly ear. Show you understand.
- Be a friend to a child you know. Remember their names. Smile when you talk with them. Ask them about their day at school. Send them a card in the mail. Show you care.
- Talk to your neighbors about looking out for one another's children. Encourage a supportive spirit among parents in your apartment building or on your block. Show that you are involved.
- Give your used clothing, furniture, and toys to another family to use. This can help relieve the stress of financial burdens on parents.
- Volunteer your time and money for programs in your community that support children and families.
To learn more about Sacramento County's dedication to preventing child abuse, visit Child Protective Services. To report child abuse in Sacramento County, call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 916-875-5437, and in case of an emergency, call 911.