Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month event planned for Wednesday in Mount Sterling

MOUNT STERLING, Ill. — Brown County Children’s Advocacy Center and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Brown County, programs of Advocacy Network for Children, along with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department and Brown County Elementary School has planned an awareness event in honor National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

Parents of students in grades pre-K through fourth grade were sent a two-page abuse and prevention fact sheet. Students were given printed pinwheels to be decorated by April 9 and brought back to the school.

A school assembly will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, when a winner of the pinwheel decorating contest from each class will be announced. The winners will be chosen by Sheriff Justin Oliver and Chief Deputy Phil Crary. Principal Lisa Hannel will do a short speech to the students before the awards being handed out. Winning students will receive a blue ribbon and gift bag of donated items and teachers of the winning students also will receive a prize. The winning pinwheels and ribbons will be on display at the school throughout April.

National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect and promotes the social and emotional well-being of children and families.

Prior to the school event, awareness yard signs will be placed at the corners of Illinois Route 99 and U.S. 24 in Mount Sterling where they intersect at the Mount Sterling Implement and Subway locations in cooperation with owners Matt and Mark Hill.

For more information regarding the Brown County CAC program, Sue Tode at 217-617-5347 or for the Brown County CASA program, call Jess Bullard at 217-430-4059.