April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the ACS Family Advocacy Program has several awareness events planned to help spread the word.
April 1: Superhero Fun Run: 5 – 7 p.m. | Blue Field
Being a military child is a SUPERPOWER! CYS and the Family Advocacy Program invite you to kick off Month of the Military Child and Child Abuse Prevention Month with a Superhero Fun Run on April 1! Put on your favorite superhero costume and meet us at Blue Field on Zuckerman Avenue from 5 – 7 p.m. as we celebrate our military kiddos and the importance of keeping them safe. Purple pinwheels will be handed out to place around the field to celebrate our military children. The race route is stroller friendly and pet friendly, so pack up the family and join us! Free to attend. Sign up online. The first 10 people to register will receive a gift, so register early! The deadline to sign up is Friday, March 29. For more information, call +1 (706) 545-2079.
April 5: Wear Blue Day
The Family Advocacy Program invites you to wear blue to kick off Child Abuse Prevention Month to support ending child abuse. This is a fantastic way to show your solidarity and commitment to protect our little ones' and remind everyone that preventing child abuse requires constant vigilance and engagement from all members of our community. So, grab your favorite blue shirt or accessory, spread the word among friends and family, and let's make sure every child grows up in a safe, loving environment. Together we can make a real difference in combating child abuse!
April 6: Strike Out Child Abuse: 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Mall Bowling Center
The Family Advocacy Program invites Military and DoD Families to Strike Out Child Abuse at the Mall Bowling Center on Marne Road. Participants must show ID Card and will receive two hours of FREE bowling and shoe rental. This family-friendly event is an annual FAP tradition to create awareness of services available to military families to promote the safety of children.
April 10: ID Fingerprinting: 1 – 2 p.m. | MACH Pediatric Clinic
By distributing fingerprint kits to parents, the Family Advocacy Program aims to empower families with a proactive approach to child safety. These kits provide a valuable resource for parents in case of emergencies, enabling them to share their child’s identifying information quickly and accurately with law enforcement. The Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division recommends parents and guardians update their child’s information whenever necessary and replace the child’s photograph in the kit every 6 months, or at least once a year when their child is photographed for school.
April 10: Child Abuse & Domestic Violence: Implications for Children & The Abused Parent – NOVA Training: 1 – 2:30 p.m. | Virtual Training | 1.5 CEUs
The Family Advocacy Program is hosting a virtual training with the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: Implications for Children and the Abused Parent with presenter Doreen Nicholas. 1.5 CEUs will be offered. This webinar will provide insight on how abuse and trauma affect parents and children, the importance of training for responders, and how to facilitate a safe, positive, and supportive response for the children and victim parents.
April 12: Child Abuse Awareness Resource Fair: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | MACH Atrium
Come join the Family Advocacy Program at the Child Abuse Awareness Fair in the MACH Atrium to take a stand against child abuse at this free community event. FAP would like to help raise awareness in the military community on the prevention, identification, and reporting of child abuse and neglect.
April 17: Advocacy After The Forensic Interview & Exam – NOVA Training: 1 – 2:30 p.m. | Virtual Training | 1.5 CEUs
The Family Advocacy Program is hosting a virtual training with the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), Advocacy after the Forensic Interview and Exam with presenter Noemi Elizalde. The webinar will focus on understanding the dynamics of abuse and the effects of trauma on children and families, what to expect after the interview and medical exam, the importance of follow up calls and check-ins to support the healing process of both the child and the family. 1.5 CEUs will be offered.
April 25: NPSP Stroller Strong Walk: 9 – 11 a.m. | Blue Field
In celebration of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the New Parent Support Program (NPSP) will hold its annual Stroller Strong Walk at Blue Field Park, Zuckerman Avenue. Each year, the NPSP acknowledges the importance of Family and community working together to prevent child abuse and neglect. The Stroller Strong Walk brings like-minded Families together to raise awareness about child abuse as well as promote the social and wellbeing of children and Families in the Fort Moore Community.
