By Noah Johnson

njohnson@dailypress.net

ESCANABA — April is National Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, and a local organization is working to spread awareness.

Welcome Newborns Program Coordinator Lannie Berg said the month is when child wellness and welfare organizations nationwide elevate the importance of creating systems and programs that put children and families first.

April has been nationally recognized as CAP month since 1985.

“Children Trust Michigan, formerly Children’s Trust Fund, recognizes that all community members have a role in ensuring children have positive experiences and families have the resources they need when they need them before they are in crisis,” Berg said.

Children Trust Michigan is the only statewide non-profit that focuses on offering education, support, and funding to local prevention programs in all 83 counties.

Each year, a Children Trust Michigan auction is held in Lansing, where the funds raised are distributed to all 83 counties.

In 2021, members of the local Bay de Noc Quilters donated a pinwheel blanket for the auction, garnering significant funds for the program.

This month and throughout the year, the Menominee, Delta, and Schoolcraft Early Childhood Council and Welcome Newborns of Delta and Schoolcraft encourage all individuals and organizations to take part in making the counties a better place for families and children.

“By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities,” Berg said.

Research shows five important factors in healthy families: nurturing and attachment, knowledge of parenting and child and youth development, parental resilience, social connections, and concrete support for parents.

“Promoting these factors are among the most effective ways to reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect,” Berg said.

There are several activities throughout April where individuals, businesses, and organizations can show their support for CAP month.

Local law enforcement will place pinwheel magnets on their vehicles, displaying “Pinwheel for Prevention” to draw attention to child abuse prevention.

The magnetic pinwheels were donated to local law enforcement agencies by the Welcome Newborns Program. It serves as a visible sign to encourage everyone to play their part in spreading awareness.

“To help spread awareness for child abuse and prevention, we are inviting individuals, churches, organizations, and schools in Delta, Schoolcraft, and Menominee County to ‘go blue’ by tying a blue ribbon on their tree, fence, door, mailbox, or car antenna during the month of April,” Berg said.

For youth, the MDS Community Action Agency Head Start and Early Head Start will distribute two Pinwheel for Prevention coloring sheets per child – one to display in their classroom and one to bring home and tape on their window. Parents are encouraged to post their child’s finished picture on social media.

According to the organization, the pinwheel is a nationally recognized symbol promoted by Prevent Child Abuse American, representing the great childhoods that all children deserve.

There are events in April, local and down-state, where the public can voice its support for CAP, including Wear Blue Day on Friday, April 4.

The public is also invited to join Children Trust Michigan staff members on Tuesday, April 15 at 10 a.m. on the Michigan Capital Building lawn located at 100 North Capital Avenue in Lansing as they host a free series of dynamic speakers on the capital steps and to share in an opportunity to plant a pinwheel garden.

Locally on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Northern Lights YMCA, Great Start is hosting the annual Children’s Fun Fest. This year’s theme is ‘Bloom and Grow.’

The day will be full of engaging games and activities for kids zero to eight. There will be on-site concessions at family-friendly prices, and entry is free. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information regarding CAP and how you can help spread awareness, contact Berg at (906) 786-7080, Ext. 143 or email at rberg@mdsecp.org.