April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

All children deserve the safety and security of a loving home

Every year, the month of April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We use this as an opportunity to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families and to recognize the importance of communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Nurturing, stable, and safe are three key qualities of a home that make a difference for children as they grow. It’s necessary for children to grow up in a home where their physical and emotional needs are met so that they can grow up to be healthy and active members of their community. Additionally, child abuse and neglect in one generation often develops in the next. Together, this cycle can be broken.

Statistics

According to the CDC, about 1 in 7 children were a victim of child abuse or neglect within the last year. Repeated abuse may result in constant stress and make victims more vulnerable to problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and learning, attention, and memory struggles.

Data shows that more than half of youth reported for abuse are at risk for an emotional or behavioral problem. Such problems include grade repetition, substance abuse, difficulty with socializing, abusive tendencies, and more. Also, children who experience abuse are nine times more likely to involve themselves in criminal activities.

At Robins’ Nest, we honor this month every year. It is a core part of our mission to support all communities and the well-being of children and their families. We have been been at the leading edge of protecting at-risk children since we were founded as a group home for girls in 1968. Now, we offer over 80 different programs to support children, adults, and families. Last year, those programs served 14,926 children and families.

Our Prevention and Parent Education programs range from maternal health support, young-parent guidance, family unity, and community based programming. Our team of experienced staff work with families to strengthen their family-unit, instill life skills, and connect them to community resources that will ultimately reduce the chance of child abuse and neglect. Click here for a full calendar of activities for families, programs, and communities.

Show Your Support

There are many ways that you can show your support this month. The symbol of National Child Abuse Prevention Month is the pinwheel because pinwheels stand for childlike whimsy and hope. It serves as the physical reminder of the great childhoods and futures we want for all children. For the entire month, we encourage members of the community to raise awareness and show their support by planting pinwheel gardens. As the wind spins the pinwheels, we are reminded of all the lives we have touched.

Another way to raise awareness is to wear blue for child abuse and neglect prevention. Every year, our staff and millions across America wear blue in support of this campaign. We encourage you to do the same! By coming together as a community, we will be able to shine a rainbow of hope for local children.

2018 Outcomes

98% of parents that took part in a Family Success Center event were able to report an increase in nurturing and attachment with their children.
100% of families in our Gloucester County Prevention Program showed stability and self-sufficiency by meeting their basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. They were also able to improve their knowledge on how to access community resources.
96% of parents in our Nurse-Family Partnership program kept up-to-date with their children's doctor's visits.
100% of families in our Family Outreach & Family Connections programs were able to remain intact with no new substantiated allegations 6 months after completing the program.
3,329 families were able to visit our Family Success Centers for family-focused workshops and activities.
Our Nurse-Family Partnership program was able to serve 329 families throughout five counties in New Jersey.