National Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAP Month) raises awareness about the importance of strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect. Community collaboration, prevention services, and family support helps to protect children, and produce thriving families. CAP Month was first designated in 1983 by Prevent Child Abuse America (PCA America). PCA America has grown to a nationwide network of state chapters. Child welfare organizations often utilize this time to raise awareness and inspire collective action to eliminate child abuse and neglect.
To kick off this month long awareness event, April 1 has been designated as ‘Wear Blue Day’. By wearing blue today, you are showing your support for the essential work needed in your community and across the country to ensure a better, safer future for all children.
The 2020 Nevada Children’s Report Card ranked Nevada with an overall grade of a D. When it comes to health (access to care, prenatal/infant health, immunizations, childhood obesity, dental health, mental health, and sexual health), Nevada was ranked with an overall health rank of a D. When it comes to safety (child maltreatment, youth homelessness, juvenile violence, child deaths & injuries, and substance abuse), Nevada ranked with an overall safety ranking of a C+. When it comes to education (school readiness, student achievement, high school completion, and funding), Nevada ranked with an overall education grade of an F. When it comes to economic well-being (employment, housing, poverty, income), Nevada ranked in economic well-being as a D+. It is clear, Nevada has a long ways to go on different ways to support our youth.
Child Abuse Prevention Resources
The 2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide highlights important actions that we can take as an individual, family member, within our organization, community or society at large to reduce the root cause of child abuse and neglect. Innovative projects are shared, along with protective factors to help children, youth, families, and communities to build resiliency.
Be sure to check out the Protective Factors Conversation Guide located within the 2021/2022 Prevention Resource Guide. This is an important tool for service providers. It has guides to help providers have personalized conversations about protective factors and includes great worksheets for caregivers.
Review the Child Maltreatment Data book to find out the latest statistics on child abuse and neglect in the United States. In 2020, 3,145,000 million children received either an investigation or an alternative response (i.e., foster care). There were 618,000 victims, and 1,750 fatalities in 2020.