March 28, 2024 –The Macon County Coalition Against Child Abuse will recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month with different events and an awareness campaign encouraging local businesses to get involved.
For all of April, the coalition encourages offices and businesses to decorate in blue as part of “Paint Macon County Blue”. There will also be an official kick-off event at the Macon County Courthouse with a wreath-lighting on the lawn on Tuesday, April 2nd at noon.
The MCCAC is comprised of Child 1st Center, Macon County CASA, Growing Strong, Baby TALK, MRI Kids- Bright Start, The Macon County Health Department, Webster Cantrell Youth Advocacy, and the Macon County Health Department. The group promotes safe, healthy, family relationships and work to prevent child abuse and neglect in our community.
Macon County currently has over 500 children in foster care due to abuse and neglect.
“Our hope is that this information will be able to prevent any child from having to experience trauma at the hands of the people that are supposed to love them and keep them safe.” says Jean Dupree at Child 1st Center.
The month will also include resource outreach at various events throughout April and “Chalk the Walk Week” April 15th to the 21st, where community members are encouraged to decorate sidewalks and driveways in blue messages of child abuse prevention.
At the end of the month, there will be a Prevention Resource Giveaway & Service Fair from 9:30am-1:30 on April 27th at the Decatur Public Library and a Blue Sunday Day of Prayer for Abused Children on April 28th.
For more information click HERE.
By: Ahsaan Spence
