Everyone in Jefferson County plays a role in preventing child abuse and neglect. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and recognizes the importance of individuals and communities working together to keep kids safe and families healthy.
Communities across the state are working together to raise awareness. Jefferson County Human Services marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month with a month full of activities and fundraisers, open to everyone, to support Ralston House.*
Jefferson County will commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month, beginning April 1, with the following activities:
- All Month – Purchase a Pinwheel. Bright blue pinwheels are a symbol of child abuse prevention awareness across the nation. The pinwheel is an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve. Be on the lookout for pinwheel gardens across the state, including on the corner of 6th Avenue and Jefferson County Parkway in Golden.
- All month – Wear Blue. Every Wednesday in April, we are going to wear blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- April 2 – Get Involved. The Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Public Awareness Campaign will award $5,000 to the Colorado non-profit organization with the highest number of attendees at the April Child Abuse Month Day at the Capitol. As we celebrate the many roles that we can all play in preventing child abuse and neglect, we invite you to encourage everyone that you know to attend the launch.
- April 10, 11, & 12 – Eat Pizza. Dine at Lil Ricci’s and 20% of your purchase will benefit Ralston House. Dine in or take out, Golden location only, 16950 W Colfax Ave, Golden. Flyer must be presented.
- All month – Be Social. CO4Kids and Illuminate Colorado are partnering to hold a statewide pinwheel photo contest dubbed #Pinwheels4Prevention. The contest calls on Coloradans to post photos of pinwheel gardens they have planted or photos of themselves and/or friends holding pinwheels. The photo with the most likes on the CO4Kids Facebook page wins and the person who posts the winning photo will earn up to $1,000 to support their favorite organization that is striving to prevent child abuse and neglect. Visit https://co4kids.org/pinwheels4prevention to enter and learn more.
These activities are designed to build thriving communities that support healthy kids and strong families, all of which can help prevent child abuse and neglect before it even occurs.
1 in 5 Colorado parents say they feel like they have no one they can turn to for day-to-day emotional support in raising children. We all play a role in strengthening families, one of the best ways to prevent child abuse and neglect. Learn what you can do at CO4KIDS.org. Anyone concerned about the safety and well-being of a child should call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437). Calling to share concerns can mean a family gets the support needed to overcome difficult circumstances. All callers are able to speak with a call-taker 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and all calls remain confidential.
*Ralston House helps child victims heal from abuse. Ralston House Child Advocacy Center works with law enforcement, human services, district attorney’s offices in the 1st and 17th Judicial Districts (Jefferson, Adams, Gilpin and Broomfield counties), and the community to provide a safe place to investigate child abuse and ensure victim services for children who have been physically or sexually abused or witnessed violence. Serving over 1,000 children per year, Ralston House also provides education and outreach to the general public to prevent child abuse.