Illinois DCFS kicks off monthlong observance with statewide virtual training and events in Edwardsville and CartervilleEDWARDSVILLE – The public is invited to join the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, Hospital Sisters Health System, the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children, elected officials, child welfare stakeholders, and more for a month-long observance to share child abuse and neglect prevention awareness messages and promote prevention efforts across the country during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

This year’s theme, Growing Better Together, is a call to action to support each other and focus on the positive environment we all need to survive and thrive.

Get The Latest News!

Don't miss our top stories and need-to-know news everyday in your inbox.

The Edwardsville kickoff event will be at 10 am on Friday, April 1, 2022, at the Madison County Government Building. Participants can also watch the live stream here: http://www.riverbender.com/video/live/details.cfm?id=1284

“The past two years have been extremely difficult for all of us. While our schools, businesses, shops, and restaurants were closing, reducing hours, or ‘going remote’ the support services we provided to families in crisis became even more important as parents lost jobs, children faced disruptions to a stable schedule and the pandemic weighed heavily on the mental health of so many families. Through it all we never wavered from our mission to strengthen families and keep children safe,” said Illinois DCFS Director Marc D. Smith. “We found new ways to support the families we serve. We finalized adoptions over Zoom; created a new mobile app so our youth in care can stay connected to their loved ones, caseworker, and support system; and overhauled our online child abuse and neglect reporting system to make it more user-friendly and easier for anyone to report suspected abuse or neglect and keep children safer. And now, we are coming out of the pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever.”

“Our world has changed. Everyone talks about getting back to normal, but the truth is we have a new normal. This new normal includes realizing that things can change in an instant, understanding that we have a responsibility to protect each other, and knowing that we are all in this together,” said Denise McCaffrey, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois. “Child abuse prevention needs to be part of this new normal. April is the perfect time to spread the message that all children deserve great childhoods, and we all have a role to play in keeping children safe.”

Upcoming Events:

Article continues after sponsor message

Friday, April 1, 2022
Edwardsville kickoff event
10 a.m.
Madison County Government Building
157 N. Main Street, Edwardsville
Watch the live stream: http://www.riverbender.com/video/live/details.cfm?id=1284

Friday, April 1, 2022
Carterville kickoff event
1 p.m.
John A. Logan College (Building H Atrium)
700 Logan College Drive, Carterville
Watch the live stream: www.facebook.com/preventchildabuseillinois/

Tuesday, April 5, 2022
Statewide virtual kickoff and training featuring trauma survivor and international trauma-informed care expert Tonier Cain
10 a.m.
Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HrdUMO-FSOyngajtbWPWPg

Friday, April 1 through Saturday, April 30, 2022
Aurora Art Exhibit
Paramount School of the Arts
20 S. Stolp Ave., Aurora
The exhibit will feature artwork created by children who are currently in care or have been in care, students, local artists and individuals who care about children.

For a full calendar of Child Abuse Prevention Month awareness activities occurring statewide throughout the month of April, click here.

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, visit the DCFS Online Reporting System at https://dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov/. The user-friendly online system is an easy and convenient way for anyone to report suspected child abuse or neglect using any mobile device. In an emergency, call the DCFS Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). Calls and online reports may be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Founded in 1964, DCFS is responsible for protecting children from abuse or neglect by responding to calls received on the Child Abuse Hotline, 1-800-25-ABUSE (1-800-252-2873). With the goal of keeping children safe, DCFS strengthens and supports families with a wide range of services. When keeping a child safe means removing them from the home, DCFS makes every effort to reunite them with their family. When the best interest of the child makes this impossible, DCFS is committed to pursuing adoption by loving families to provide children with a safe and permanent home. DCFS is also responsible for licensing and monitoring of all Illinois child welfare agencies.

More like this:

Dec 22, 2023 - Madison County Courthouse Creates Forever Families for 25 Children During Adoption Day

Oct 10, 2023 - DCFS Reminds Public To Practice Fire Safety

Nov 2, 2023 - Illinois DCFS Honors Adoptive Parents During Adoption Awareness Month

Nov 21, 2023 - Centerstone To Host Free, Virtual Child Abuse And Neglect 101 Training On November 29

Mar 21, 2024 - Local CASA Program Plans Walk-a-Thon to Help Kids in Court System

Related Video:

2nd Annual Kids Health, Safety & Activity Fair