Dozens of Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services staff planted pinwheels outside the department’s buildings April 9 to create awareness about child abuse prevention. Photo courtesy of Sacramento County

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County recognizes April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This year, the Sacramento County Department of Child, Family and Adult Services (DCFAS) spread awareness about child abuse prevention by planting pinwheels outside of all the county Department of Child, Family and Adult Services buildings. The pinwheel symbolizes childhood innocence and joy. 

The pinwheels will remain planted throughout April as part of an effort to continue to raise awareness about preventing child abuse and neglect. The pinwheel plantings took place on April 9, with dozens of workers participating at each building. 

“Together, we can all raise awareness for child abuse prevention,” said Child Protective Services Deputy Director Melissa Lloyd​. 

The recognition month also serves as a reminder that everyone can work together to keep children in the community safe. 

The Department of Child, Family and Adult Services offers five tips that residents can do to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

The first two tips are to be a friend to a parent you know and offer support when needed, and to be a friend to a child you know and show you care about their interests and well-being.

The third tip is to talk to neighbors about looking out for one another and the children where you live.

The fourth and fifth tips are to donate items to families in need to alleviate financial stress, and to volunteer your time and resources for programs supporting children and families in your community. 

To learn more about Sacramento County's dedication to preventing child abuse, visit the Child Protective Services webpage at dcfas.saccounty.net. Call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 916-875-5437 to report child abuse in Sacramento County and call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.