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April is Child Abuse Prevention
Month
[March 31, 2025]
CHICAGO – Join the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Prevent Child
Abuse Illinois, Hospital Sisters Health System, the Poshard
Foundation for Abused Children, elected officials, child welfare
stakeholders and more for a month-long observance to share child
abuse and neglect prevention awareness messages and promote
prevention efforts during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.
This year’s theme, Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention, is a
call to action to commit to a future where every child grows up
safe, loved and full of hope.
“This year’s theme goes hand-in-hand with our department’s vision:
for every child and youth to grow and thrive in a family,” said
Illinois DCFS Director Heidi E. Mueller. “We know that when parents
are supported, their families are stronger and safer – and we also
know that children do better when they are able to remain at home
safely. In 2024 we served 4,034 families through our family
preservation programs, enabling them to stay together. DCFS also
connected parents to counseling, substance abuse recovery, mental
health, Family Advocacy Centers and other services so 5,374 children
could return home. By working together with our community partners
and connecting families to the services and programs that meet their
unique needs DCFS continues to strengthen and support families.”
“This year’s theme, Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention,
emphasizes the importance of prevention efforts that support
families, strengthen communities and ensure every child has the
opportunity to reach their full potential,” said Prevent Child Abuse
Illinois Executive Director Tarra Winters. “By investing in
prevention, we not only protect children, but also provide families
with the strength and resilience to overcome challenges. When
families thrive, communities thrive. It is through prevention that
we can ensure a bright future for generations to come.”
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To heighten awareness, Illinois
DCFS will host events across the state in observance of Child Abuse
Prevention Month. All Illinoisans can get involved and show their
commitment to ending child abuse by wearing blue on April 4, posting
pictures on social media, tagging Illinois DCFS in their posts and
using the hashtags #GreatChildhoods and #GoBlueIllinois
For a full calendar of Child Abuse
Prevention Month awareness activities occurring statewide throughout
the month of April, click here:
Child Abuse Prevention Month Activities 2025.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, visit the DCFS Online
Reporting System at
https://childabuse.illinois.gov or call the DCFS Child Abuse and
Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). Calls and online
reports may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
[Text received from Deborah Lopez | DCFS]
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