DANVILLE - April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, an appropriate time to highlight the important role adults play in protecting a most precious resource - children.
This month and throughout the year, the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of the Central Susquehanna Valley, a division of Geisinger Medical Center's Janet Weis Children's Hospital, encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making the central Susquehanna Valley a better place for children and families.
This year, the CAC will raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention during the month of April with Prevent Child Abuse America's Pinwheels for Prevention campaign.
Children who visit the CAC will be given blue pinwheels in support of the fight against child abuse.
Additionally, staff in Geisinger's Department of Pediatrics also will wear blue ribbon pins in support of the fight against child abuse.
"Raising awareness is only one way to keep our children safe," said Melissa DeBaro, coordinator at the CAC. "More importantly, by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children's social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities."
Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth and families are promoted.
One child, one place
The CAC was founded in 2004 and implemented a "one child, one place, one time" philosophy, which reduces the number of interviews conducted during child abuse investigations. This approach respects the child's overall health and provides a balance of safety, protection and healing. For more information, call 473-8516 or go to www.geisinger.org/jwch.