Happy New Year!

As I reflect on the past year, I am incredibly proud of all that PCA Illinois has accomplished. We educated thousands of people, expanded our reach, raised awareness across the state about child abuse and neglect prevention, and so much more. Prevention remains at the heart of everything we do, driving our efforts to create safer, healthier environments for children across Illinois.

This year is especially meaningful as we celebrate our 35th anniversary. For over three decades, we’ve been strong advocates for children and families, and the impact of our work has never been more apparent. Yet, there is still much to be done. That’s why we are excited to launch our new campaign in 2025: “Investing in Prevention: Building a Better Future for Children.” This campaign is grounded in the belief that all children deserve great childhoods and by prioritizing substantial and fair investments in primary prevention programs, we can make that a reality for children and families in Illinois. You can learn more about the campaign in this newsletter.



Looking ahead, we are more committed than ever to our mission and working toward a future where every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment. Thank you for your continued support and partnership—let’s make 2025 another year of progress and lasting impact for the children and families we serve.



With gratitude,

A Look Back on 2024

Looking forward to 2025 and

celebrating our 35th Anniversary

In 2025, PCA Illinois will be celebrating its monumental 35th anniversary! This milestone marks more than three decades of growth, impact, and service, and we couldn't be more excited to share this moment with you.

Our team is buzzing with anticipation as we begin to plan a series of exciting events and initiatives to celebrate our achievements and the incredible journey we've had together. We’re looking forward to honoring the past, celebrating the present, and imagining a future filled with even more opportunities to ensure all children have great childhoods!

Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Community Baby Shower Hosted by the

Ann Reid Early Childhood Center

In December, Cook County Prevention Specialist and Safe Baby Program Coordinator, Belinda Farr, provided a Happiest Baby on the Block training at the Ann Reid Early Childhood Center for their first community baby shower. The community baby shower was hosted at the Lisle Library in DuPage County. Belinda trained 21 participants that included mothers, fathers, and early childhood staff. The parents received literature that included shaken baby syndrome prevention, the impacts of childhood trauma, information on childhood neglect, and parenting resources. One father commented “Very informative. We have 2 kids and learned things we didn’t know.” Belinda had a wonderful time interacting and engaging with parents at the baby shower and looks forward to attending in the future! "

Check out our Happiest Baby on the Block Program on our website! To schedule a training for your organization or program, reach out to Belinda Farr at bfarr@pcaillinois.org.

Investing in Prevention Campaign

Prevent Child Abuse Illinois is excited to launch our new advocacy campaign, Investing in Prevention: Building a Better Future for Children! At the heart of this campaign is the belief that all children deserve great childhoods and by prioritizing substantial and fair investments in primary prevention programs, we can make that a reality for children and families in Illinois. This primary prevention approach aims to mitigate the adversities faced by children, fostering an environment conducive to their growth and enabling them to mature into content and robust adults. Through this campaign, we aim to raise awareness, provide education and support on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and positive childhood experiences (PCEs), and advocate for increased investment in primary prevention policies and programs that support children and families.

Supporting Happy Childhoods

In 2023, PCA Illinois developed a website to be your one-stop shop to learn how you can help create happy childhoods for all children. Whether you’re a parent, educator, service provider, or community member, our site is filled with valuable information, tools, and tips to help support children’s well-being and encourage positive childhood experiences. This site offers valuable insights into the effects of trauma exposure and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and how these challenges can impact a child's development.

But it’s not just about recognizing the challenges—it's about building resilience! Our website is packed with strategies for creating nurturing environments, fostering positive childhood experiences, and helping children overcome adversity. You’ll find expert advice, practical tools, and community-driven approaches to promoting resilience and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to experience a safe and healthy childhood.



We invite you to bookmark our site and visit regularly to stay informed and empowered to make a difference in the lives of children. Together, we can build a foundation for strong, positive childhoods that will last a lifetime.

February is National Parent Leadership Month

Each February, we recognize the important work parents and caregivers give to ensure all children are raised in healthy and safe environments. It is a month-long celebration of parents for all they do for their children and communities. This February we are excited to highlight a few ways you can celebrate all parents.

Parents are an important voice in family strengthening and child abuse prevention efforts, and ensuring they have a place at the table is essential for positive prevention outcomes. 

Be sure to visit our website and follow us on social media throughout the month of February for more resources!

April Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAP Month) is right around the corner! Are you ready to support the cause? Below are 5 ideas for ways to get involved and help raise awareness about CAP Month throughout Illinois.

1. Order pinwheels now and start planning where you'll plant pinwheel gardens in your community.

2. Organize a fundraiser such as a golf outing, garage sale, 5-K run, trivia night, flower sale, movie night, etc. to benefit Prevent Child Abuse Illinois or other family support agencies.

3. Participate in Wear Blue Day on Friday, April 4th, 2025. Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to participate and help raise awareness about CAP Month. PCA Illinois will offer a Wear Blue Day T-shirt again this year! Be on the lookout for an order form in the coming weeks!

4. Schedule a training for your organization, church, or community group on child abuse and neglect prevention topics. Contact staff here.

5. Save the date on March 6th for our CAP Month Toolkit webinar. Don't miss out on this important discussion.

Explore insightful websites, podcasts, and books handpicked by our team to inspire, inform, and support families and communities!

Websites:

• www.Parentguidance.org
• www.dadcentral.ca/dads/

Podcasts:

• Brain Lady Speaks - Apple Podcasts
• Love and Abuse Manipulation and Emotional Abuse in Relationships

Books:

• “Atlas of the Heart” By Brene Brown Atlas of the Heart - Brené Brown

• Using Protective Factors to Strengthen Families Webinar - February 2, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm
• Kids and Critters Webinar - February 19, 10 am - 11:30 am
• CAP Month Toolkit Webinar - March 6, 12 pm - 1 pm
• Domestic Violence Webinar - March 17, 10 am - 12 pm

Registration information will be shared soon.

Mark your calendars and don't miss out!