Invest Upstream in Children and Families this April!

This April, the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties (PFCLG) has a message for all Lincoln and Gaston County residents: “you’re doing great things for children, keep it up!”

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month so PFCLG is working with the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse (LCCACA) to spread the message that everyone can invest upstream in children and families to give children the safe, stable, nurturing environments and relationships they need to thrive.

Research suggests that many people are already playing a role in preventing child abuse in their communities, they just don’t realize it. A study commissioned by Prevent Child Abuse America shows that only 27% of Americans report that they are engaged in prevention. However, that same study showed that:

• 80% of Americans reporting donating goods, money or time to an organization supporting children and families,
• 70% reported volunteering to work with children through places of worship, schools, and sports or academic clubs, and
• 56% provided mentorship to a child in their family, neighborhood, or community.

“North Carolinians are already involved in activities that prevent child abuse and neglect, they just don’t realize it,” said Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina. “We are working to educate the public about how they are already helping to prevent child abuse, as well as offering some positive ideas about how we all can help children and families thrive.”

Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina, PFCLG and LCCACA are encouraging North Carolina residents to learn more about how three specific actions – mentoring children and parents, advocating for family-friendly policies, and donating time and money – relate to child abuse prevention.

Some suggestions on how people can get involved include:

• Smile at the dad whose children are being loud and compliment his family.
• Give another parent(s) the night off by offering to babysit.
• Volunteer to staff an after-school program.
• Mentor a new parent by offering to be someone they can reach out to if they ever need help or someone to talk to.
• Advocate for policies, in the legislature and in your workplace, that support children and families.
• Encourage local school personnel, coaches, caregivers, or volunteers who work with children to take Prevent Child Abuse NC’s free, online Recognizing & Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment Course.
• Donate time to organizations that support children by offering to be a free tutor or getting involved with a mentorship program.
• Donate money to organizations that fight for children and families.

“North Carolina spends $2 billion annually in downstream costs, in social services, medical costs, juvenile justice, education, foster care, and more.” said Prevent Child Abuse NC President & CEO Sharon Hirsch. “We know that when we invest upstream in programs that are built on science, we can strengthen families and help reduce child abuse and neglect.”

To get involved with the Partnership for Children of Lincoln & Gaston Counties, contact: Rosalind Richardson at 704-922-0900 ext. 111 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Source: www.preventchildabusenc.org