Children’s Advocacy Center honors National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Pike County is going blue for the month of April in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Blue is the official color of this awareness effort.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month is meant to educate and raise awareness of child maltreatment in communities. The Dickson House Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) will also be using this month to organize awareness efforts locally to draw additional attention to this issue.

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Pike County government buildings, including the CAC, the Administration Building and the Courthouse, will be illuminated blue. “By shining a blue light, we hope to shed light on the many ways to support children and families,” the county said in an announcement about the move. “The CAC encourages residents and businesses to join them and turn the county blue.”

Child Abuse Prevention Month events:

- Read with Violet: Violet, the CAC comfort dog was at the Milford Branch of the Pike County Public Library on April 1st and at the Dingman Township Branch on April 5th for two Read with Violet events.

- Pinwheel Display: You may notice pinwheels around the county this month to “symbolize the joy and playfulness of what childhood should be.” The pinwheel is a National Child Abuse Prevention Month prevention symbol used as a reminder that everyone is responsible for protecting children in our communities.

A pinwheel display will be featured on the lawn of the CAC as well as at a few local elementary and primary schools, including Delaware Valley Elementary School, Dingman Delaware Elementary School, Dingman Delaware Primary School, and Shohola Elementary School.

Students from these schools have lent a hand in coloring and decorating paper pinwheels that will be used to decorate the county. Many Pike County offices, local shops, and restaurants have committed to displaying the students’ artwork.

- Public Outreach: The CAC has coordinated with a few restaurants within the County to feature a special blue menu item this month. Participating restaurants include: Promise Land Inn, Milford Hospitality (Jive, Apple Valley, La Posada, Tom Quick), Mountain House Tavern, Jam Room Brewing, Side Street, and Two Rivers Grille (non-alcoholic only). The Daily Grind will also have coffee sleeves created by the CAC featuring information on National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

- Wear Blue Fridays: An additional way to participate in National Child Abuse Prevention month is to wear blue on Fridays to show your support of positive childhood experiences and the prevention of adversity. Participants can send photos to the CAC to be featured on their social media platforms.

The Dickson House Children’s Advocacy Center is a child-focused center that provides forensic interviews, medical exams for physical and sexual abuse, and helps connect families to available services.