April is observed in West Virginia as Family Strengthening and Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to bring attention to the effectiveness of early family support as the best prevention against the mistreatment of children.
Organizers with Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia emphasize that the message of April is this: Happy, healthy children grow up with nurturing, loving families in caring communities.
A blue pinwheel is the symbol of the month, representing “Pinwheels of Possibility.”
“Every child is born full of promise. When families have the support they need early, before stress becomes a crisis, children grow up safer, healthier, and full of hope for the future. Child abuse and neglect are preventable, and prevention begins when families and communities are empowered to define what support looks like, and systems align to meet those needs,” say West Virginia family advocates. “Pinwheels symbolize childhood joy and imagination, but they also represent something deeper. They remind us that when the conditions are right, children can thrive.” 
Why does prevention work matter? Nearly one in seven children in the U.S. will experience abuse or neglect each year. But research shows that Positive Childhood Experiences and safe, stable relationships protect children and build lifelong habits of well-being.
By offering support to families early in their child-raising experience, communities can contribute to healthy and stable patterns that give children an environment in which to thrive.
“Prevention works best when it focuses on what families need, not on reacting after harm has occurred,” say advocates.
Those who work in family support programs keep child protection in the larger context of real life – families are affected by economic realities, access to healthcare, childcare options, housing choices and an overall community environment.
“Preventing child abuse and neglect is a shared responsibility, one that requires collaboration across early childhood, health, housing, education, business, faith, and community-based sectors,” said Jim McCoy, State Coordinator of Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia.
Locally, organizations like Morgan County Starting Points partner with other groups in the county and region to help families who might be experiencing challenges in any of those aspects of life – from housing changes to temporary food insecurity, a need for job training or financial education, for parenting knowledge and material help for babies, like diapers and wipes.
Child advocates are clear that whole communities make a difference in supporting healthy and caring family life in each and every generation.
