Transitions conducting campaign for Child Abuse Prevention Month for 27th year

QUINCY — April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Transitions of Western Illinois, in conjunction with Illinois Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, is sponsoring a campaign to encourage everyone to care for and nurture children. This is the 27th year that Transitions has conducted a child abuse prevention campaign in our community.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is a national effort to increase awareness of child abuse and the need for prevention efforts. According to Barbara Baker Chapin, director of development at Transitions, Child Abuse Prevention Month began in 1983. Today, organizations across the country educate their communities on the importance of caring for children during the month of April.

In a press release, Chapin said, “For the 27th year, Transitions is reminding people in our area of the importance of caring for and nurturing children. The pinwheel is the symbol of the state-wide campaign, as the pinwheel reminds us of children and happy images of childhood. It represents the hope that every child will be raised in a healthy, safe and caring environment.”

During the month, Transitions is urging people to do what they can to support and nurture children. According to Chapin, the organization’s focus during the month is emphasizing the positive and important things everyone can do to support children.

Chapin said, “While child abuse is a problem in our country and in our community, our campaign is focusing on the positive things that parents and other adults can do to support and care for children. We want people to understand that childhood trauma – that experienced when children experience abuse/ neglect or when they witness violence in the family – has an adverse impact on that child for the rest of his or her life. Research shows that adverse childhood experiences, such as abuse and neglect, result in long-term health problems – physical health and mental health problems.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver disease and other health-related quality-of-life issues are tied to child abuse. Children who are the victims of abuse/neglect are also more likely to abuse alcohol and substances, engage in criminal activity and have psychological disorders.

“During April, we urge people to visit our Facebook page, as we will have information about the protective factors that can assist children in growing up healthy and strong,” Chapin said. “Our staff will be providing information to parents and caregivers throughout April. Our Parents as Teachers staff will be providing information for parents at several events in the community, as well as hosting two screenings for young children, ages birth to five. Parents can bring their little one and our staff will do a brief screening to assess if the child is meeting speech, motor and social/emotional milestones.”

During the month, Transitions will be the host or be involved in several events for children and their parents.