38th ANNUAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

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National Child Abuse Prevention Month will be observed April 2025. The purpose of CAPM is to:
SCCS will host or plan at least one activity each week during the month of April ending with our annual Appreciation Breakfast.
📅Tuesday, April 1, 2025; 12-1:30 p.m.
📍SCCS Training Center

Close-Up on Gun Safety has been approved for Child Welfare Training Credit.

*The series include four individual Lunch-n-Learn trainings with each session being 90 minutes in length.

📅Thursday, April 3, 2025, 6-9 p.m.
📍SCCS WAB Rooms

Churches and faith organizations often find it challenging to understand child abuse and neglect reporting laws. Summit County Children Services offers a three-hour training for clergy and lay members to enhance their awareness and preparedness regarding these issues. The training includes the ‘Reducing the Risk’ DVD, interactive lessons, and definitions of abuse indicators. Each participating church receives a Child Abuse & Neglect Awareness Kit with educational materials for their congregation.

  • Akron RubberDucks – Home Opener
📅Tuesday, April 8, 2025, 6:35 p.m. @ Canal Park
  • Wear Blue
📅Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Wednesday, April 9 is Wear Blue Day so grab your blue attire and join the movement!! Join Summit County Children Services in painting the county BLUE to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month and help raise awareness about the importance of child abuse and neglect prevention.

Wear Blue is about sharing your blue pride! So, don’t forget to send your pictures to [email protected] to share pics of you and your co-workers or friends wearing blue. Add #SummitWearsBlue and tag us on FacebookTwitter or InstagramWe want to see everyone join the movement!

Add some swag to Wear Blue

First, be sure to wear something blue. Don’t have anything blue? We’ve got you covered!  Check out our downloadable material below and start posting your ‘wear blue’ pride.

Social Starters

Need some social media inspiration? Try a couple of these:

    • I wear blue because I want children to be safe with @SCCS #SummitWearsBlue
    • Join the Movement and help raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention!  Wear Blue with @SCCS #SummitWearsBlue
    • Are you wearing blue today? We are! Join the movement with us and @SCCS #SummitWearsBlue
  • Close-Up on Child Safety: Sibling Sexual Abuse Prevention

    📅Thursday, April 10, 12-1:30 p.m.

    📍Zoom Meeting

    Close-Up on Sibling Sexual Abuse Prevention, Close-Up on Safe Sleep, and Close-Up on Unintentional Ingestions have each been approved for 1.5 hours for Social Workers and/or Counselors.

    *The series include four individual ‘Lunch-n-Learn’ trainings with each session being 90 minutes in length.

📅Monday, April 14, 12-1:30 p.m.
📍Zoom Meeting

Close-Up on Sibling Sexual Abuse Prevention, Close-Up on Safe Sleep, and Close-Up on Unintentional Ingestions have each been approved for 1.5 hours for Social Workers and/or Counselors.

*The series include four individual ‘Lunch-n-Learn’ trainings with each session being 90 minutes in length.

📅Thursday, April 17, 2025, 12-1:30 p.m.
📍Zoom Meeting

Close-Up of Sibling Sexual Abuse Prevention, Close-Up on Safe Sleep, and Close-Up on Unintentional Ingestions have each been approved for 1.5 hours for Social Workers and/or Counselors.

*The series include four individual ‘Lunch-n-Learn’ trainings with each session being 90 minutes in length.

  • Blue Sunday – A Day of Prayer for Abused Children
📅Sunday, April 27, 2025

Blue Sunday is a day where faith communities across Summit County are encouraged to join together and take time during their services to pray for the victims of child abuse and for those who work to serve and protect them.

How to pray for abused children on Blue Sunday:

  1. Pray they will be rescued

  2. Pray they are placed with caring people

  3. Pray their minds and bodies can heal

  4. Pray they find hope

  5. Pray for those who rescue them

Resources for Churches

12 Things The Church Should Know About SCCS

12 Things Your Church Can Do To Help Abused Children

Happy Families Coloring Page

Happy Families Discussion Page

Happy Families Word Search

📍Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 7:30-9 a.m.

Join us as we recognize the achievements of advocates, community leaders and other community partners who continually support the children and families we serve.

History of National Child Abuse Prevention Month

National Child Abuse Prevention Month was first observed in 1984 by proclamation by President Ronald Reagan to raise the awareness of the important issue of child abuse and neglect.  Since 1987, SCCS has observed and celebrated Child Abuse Prevention Month (aka Child & Family Awareness Month) annually to educate people about child abuse and neglect prevention and to help build a solid foundation of strong community support for children and families.

How You Can Help
  • Make the difference, make the call. Calls of suspected child abuse and neglect are to be made to our 24-Hour Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline: (330) 434-KIDS (5437).

  • Be the Reason Kids are Safe! Consider becoming a foster parent.  Call our 24-Hour Foster Care & Adoption Inquiry Line at (330) 379-1990.

  • Donate or volunteer!  There are many ways you can support children and families. Call our Volunteer & Donation Line at (330) 379-1980.

  • Request a speaker! Help us educate the community about SCCS and the important work we do to protect children and support families.

For additional information, please contact Summit County Children Services at (330) 379-1994 or at [email protected].