Child abuse is a serious issue worldwide, and unfortunately occurs in our state. It affects children of every age, gender, race and financial status. As lawmakers, it’s our responsibility to create policies that will protect our children from harm.
Senator Randy Head said in a recent release, “To help bring attention to this issue, we, along with the rest of the United States, recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month, which increases awareness, teaches warning signs and provides solutions to prevent child abuse.”
In order to combat this prevalent issue, the Indiana Department of Child Services offers several prevention programs
- Healthy Families Indiana is a voluntary home visitation program designed to promote healthy families and children through a variety of services, including child development, access to healthcare and parent education.
- Community Partners for Child Safety is a statewide prevention program designed to strengthen the family unit and build support services. It is a voluntary, free and home-based service to connect families with resources.
- Youth Service Bureau and Safe Place provide a variety of programs aimed at preventing delinquent behavior in teenagers
Senator Head closed his statement saying, “While these programs are in place, Hoosiers can also play a part in preventing child abuse by advocating for community services to help families, volunteering their time to programs that help parents, and considering becoming a foster parent, among other things.”
To learn more about National Child Abuse Prevention Month and ways to get involved, click here.
