April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

General County News

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) and Albemarle County reminds everyone of the importance of communities working together to help families thrive and prevent child abuse.

When children and families in need come to our attention, Albemarle County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services (CPS) and its child welfare colleagues partner with parents and caregivers, their natural supports, and relevant community partners to conduct a thorough assessment of each family’s strengths and needs. Our staff refer and connect families to needed safety supports and other services to keep children safe and ensure their needs are met.

We all play a role as a community to help protect the health and welfare of children. If you have reason to suspect child abuse or neglect, contact the Albemarle County Department of Social Services by calling 434-972-4010, Monday – Friday between 8 am – 4:30 pm. After 4:30 pm or on weekends and holidays, call the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline toll-free at 800-552-7096 (out-of-state) or 804-786-8536 (in Virginia). Language interpretation services are available. If you are a mandated reporter making a report of abuse or neglect, you may do so using the online Mandated Reporter Portal, https://vacps.dss.virginia.gov/, and CPS will follow up with you after the report is submitted.

Planting Pinwheels to Spread Awareness

To recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month, members of the Albemarle County Child Protective Services team, Albemarle County Police Department's Special Victims and Victim/Witness Units, and other community partners planted pinwheels on the front lawn of the County Office Buildings on 5th Street Extension and McIntire Road to bring attention to this important cause.

The pinwheel is a national symbol for child abuse prevention because it serves as a physical reminder of the joyful childhood experience we want for all children. The pinwheel gardens illuminate the importance of children being able to grow up free from abuse and neglect and with their families because that is where they do best.

Other Prevention Month Activities in April:

The CPS team, along with its multidisciplinary partners, Charlottesville CPS, Foothills Child Advocacy Center, Community Attention Foster Families, and ReadyKids, will distribute pinwheel bouquets to local schools and businesses, along with helpful prevention information and community and other resources to support kids and families.
Staff from CPS, Foothills, and SVU will offer training on mandatory reporting and recognizing and reporting child abuse. Information about these trainings can be found at Foothills Child Advocacy Center - Home. Community organizations can also contact ACDSS (434-972-4010) and ask for a CPS supervisor to request these trainings.
Staff from CPS and its multidisciplinary partners plan to attend an Open House hosted by Foothills CAC during the month and hope to be joined by local legislators, who can help champion this important work.

Child abuse prevention starts with each one of us. Together we can make it easier for families to access support services and learn how to identify and build on family strengths.

Gun safety is a vital aspect of child safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wonder database, firearms now kill more children and adolescents than any other cause, surpassing vehicular accidents and cancer.

Fast facts about firearms from research by Harvard Medical School:

If you own a gun, lock it up unloaded. Keep ammunition locked up separately.
Ask if there is an unlocked gun where your child plays. This simple question can save your child's life. If the answer is yes, ask if it can be locked up. If the gun isn't stored safely, your child shouldn't play there.
If your child has a history of depression or other mental health problems, don't keep a gun at home. Locking it up may not be enough to keep your child safe.
Children as young as 3 years old may be strong enough to pull the trigger on a handgun.
Three out of four children (including children less than 10 years old) living in a house with a gun know where the gun is, even when their parents think they don't.

Learn Tips and Strategies to Help Keep Children Safe and Promote Family Well-Being

Have You Visited Our Online Engagement Center?

Engage Albemarle is our online center for public engagement. Our community is full of amazing people with a diverse range of experiences and perspectives. We hope that you will share your expertise, ideas, and feedback with us on the projects hosted there.

Please visit the site and register to access current and future projects.

We have a podcast! The Let’s Talk Albemarle podcast seeks to foster community participation through the exploration of important topics in Albemarle County. Listen free on Apple Podcast, iHeart, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, or our website.

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