The month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and the Child Welfare Board of Brown County is focused on increasing awareness of this very real and sometimes tragic occurrence. The observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month is also an opportunity to remind ourselves of the collective responsibility to prevent abuse and neglect within our own communities. In Brown County alone, more than 150 children have been in the care system, some with placements in foster care homes and others with kinship families.
The Child Welfare Board of Brown County works yearlong to see that children in kinship care (and at times foster care) don’t go without. Supporting over 275 children in the last year through life events like birthdays, Christmas, and back to school are only some of the ways that the board gives back. April’s Child Abuse Prevention Month designation renews the Board’s spirit to “fight” for those that often have no voice, and the Board asks that the community join this cause not only during April but beyond.
The Board will be spreading its message through two new billboards, signage at the Brown County Courthouse, an information booth at the Great Easter Egg Hunt, Heart Gallery display, and Raindrops for the Rainbow Room donations, among other highlights.
The Board also wants to invite the community to ‘Turn the Town Blue’ and show support in “fighting” child abuse locally. The community is invited to temporarily change storefront windows and displays through the use of blue lights or banners throughout the month to help raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month. It truly is a chance for the community to have a voice for those who may not.
In addition to displays, the Board is also selling T-Shirts and Yard Signs through April 2nd at https://stores.inksoft.com/child_welfare_board/shop/home with proceeds benefiting local children who the board cares for. T-Shirts are $20 for adult small through large sizes, $22 for XX-Large, $24 for XXX-Large, and $26 for XXXX-Large. Double-sided yard signs are $15 each.
Additional fundraising for local children will be done through a month-long drive in April to sell “Raindrops” for $1 each to “Shower the Rainbow Room.” The Rainbow Room, located inside the CPS Office at 2400 Crockett Drive, is a resource for vulnerable children in the community as it gathers items such as diapers, car seats, school supplies, formula, personal hygiene items, toys, children’s books, new children’s clothing, household cleaning supplies, and blankets that can be obtained by those involved in care.
The Child Welfare Board of Brown County stands behind the statement that “No Child Fights Alone.” For more information or to find out ways to get involved, email lisacarolcaldwell@gmail.com or check out their Facebook page Child Welfare Board of Brown County.
