Child Abuse Prevention Month Toolkit
The History
Child Abuse Prevention Month has been observed each April since its first presidential proclamation in 1983. During the month of April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) and the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child maltreatment.
What do the Pinwheels mean?
In 2008, Prevent Child Abus America introduced the pinwheel as the new national symbol for child abuse prevention. Why? Because by its very nature, the pinwheel connotes playfulness, joy and childhood. It has come to serve as a physical reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children. And as a symbol, the cyclical nature of the pinwheel calls to mind the positive cycles of love and support we want to help families create.
What can you do?
- Help bring awareness during child abuse prevention month by displaying pinwheels at your business, organization or in your community.
- Follow the Huntington County Prevent Child Abuse Council on Facebook.
- Research and educate yourself, and those around you, about child abuse and prevention efforts. Know how to report if you suspect child abuse.
- Get to know the organizations in our community that work to bring awareness to child abuse and lift up children and families.
Prevent Child Abuse Council of Huntington County is made up of representatives from these community organizations:
- Bowen Health
- Family Centered Services
- Huntington County Community School Corporation
- Huntington County Department of Child Services
- Huntington University Social Work Department
- IRIS
- McKenzie’s Hope
- Parkview Huntington Hospital
- Sprout by 5 Huntington County
- United Way of Huntington County
- Youth Services Bureau
- YWCA
If you suspect or have concerns about a child, call:
Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline – (800) 800-5556
Community Resources for Children & Youth
Bowen Health
(800) 342-5653
We treat the whole person by delivering primary health care that addresses emotional and physical health, addiction recovery, life skills coaching and more. Medicaid, private insurance and Medicare are welcome, and no one is turned away for an inability to pay. Our dedication to providing life-changing care helps our patients live their best life.
Boys & Girls Club
(260) 359-1750
The Boys & Girls Club is open every day after school and all day during the summer to ensure that our youth have a safe, fun and positive environment to be a part of.
Family Centered Services
(260) 824-8574
Our mission is to strengthen our community by empowering families and youth through services that educate and inspire through our various programs. Within the Healthy Families program in Huntington, we strive to promote supportive environments that optimize child growth and development and encourage resilient, healthy families.
Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana
(260) 422-3417
Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.
IRIS
(260) 421-5000
IRIS’s mission is to protect children, prepare parents, strengthen families and educate our community to Stop Child Abuse and Neglect.
McKenzie’s Hope
(260) 356-5730
The Huntington County Child Advocacy Center, Inc., is dedicated to providing: a child-focused center to investigate child abuse, the coordination of a unified response to child abuse reports so that every child is treated with equal importance and care, and educational information to the community that promotes the prevention of and appropriate response to child abuse.
Parkview Huntington Family YMCA
(260) 359-9622
Your Huntington Y focuses on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. We believe strongly in the importance of nurturing the potential of every child and teen; improving the nation’s health and well-being; giving back and providing support for our neighbors.
Scouting America
(260) 710-5637
The mission of Scouting America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.
Sprout by 5
(260) 289-2123
The mission of Sprout by 5 of Huntington County is to foster positive early childhood experiences through community collaboration. We support families in accessing and advocating for high-quality early childhood education, promote early detection and intervention for developmental needs, and assist providers in meeting foundational health and safety requirements.
Youth Services Bureau
(260) 356-9681
The mission of the Youth Services Bureau of Huntington County is to provide quality, comprehensive, empowering programs and services to assist youth and families as they encounter challenges associated with childhood, adolescence and early adulthood.
YWCA Northeast Indiana
(260) 424-4908
The YWCA is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
For more Indiana resources, please visit the IRIS Family Support Center.