April Is Child Abuse Prevention Month

How Does Prevention Work Make a Difference?

When we brush our teeth, go to our annual physical or pick a salad to eat for lunch, we’re investing in taking care of bodies now so that we don’t have a bigger health problem later. In the same way, when we take the time to surround families in our community with resources, caring mentors and enriching programs, we can create lasting safe, stable homes.

We know parenting is one of the hardest jobs a person can have. Every day, our staff come to Iris Family Support Center ready to support parents through programs designed to build strengths and answer questions so each person who calls us can access the solutions they need to create a solid support system for their family.

Laying the foundation for healthy, happy childhoods is a job bigger than any one person or organization. It takes an entire community. By joining us in learning how to keep the kids in your life safe, you help us celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month!

Each person can be an advocate in their own community, sharing resources and helping protect families. On this page, we share resources designed to support and encourage families in 16 northeast Indiana counties. We also have several helpful tips for scenarios that families often face. Together, we cheer on children and families in our community!

Iris Family Support Center’s Prevention Programs

Unfortunately, many families are just one step away from having a household crisis. Community Partners provides short-term case management services to families in crisis, connecting them to resources in our community.
Click here to learn more about Community Partners.
Healthy Families is a voluntary program that works with families to help track developmental goals, coach parents in nurturing their child and encourage the family to make stable, positive decisions.
Click here to learn more about Healthy Families.
Iris’s Parenting Classes help give families the tools they need to build and maintain healthy relationships for a more positive future together.
Click here to learn more about Parenting Classes at Iris.
Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Councils bring together leaders in our community to act as a voice for families and children to make sure their needs are met. By involving leaders from social work, education, government agencies, health care, community resources such as food pantries, business and nonprofits, PCA Councils are able to hear from every viewpoint in a community to better protect children and set communities up for success.

Whether it is making connections between resources, working together to develop solutions or creating events that highlight the work the community is doing to prevent child abuse, PCA Council members are helping to create a safer and brighter future for families.
Find a PCA Council near you.
Iris Family Support Center provides free education to schools, churches and community organizations. An Iris Prevention Coordinator trains children, ages three through 18, as well as adults on indicators of child abuse and neglect, body safety, gun safety and internet safety.
Click here to learn more about Prevention Education.

How You Can Help Our Mission

The most valuable resource in Iris’s mission to protect children and prepare parents is the support of our community. Every donation you make, hour you volunteer and event you participate in helps you be a part of Iris’s work to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Join us in our mission today by donating, signing up to volunteer with Iris Family Support Center or by checking out our latest event.

The Significance of Pinwheels

Each April you may have noticed pinwheels planted in gardens, planters and more of homes and businesses. This is because pinwheels have come to serve as the symbol for child abuse prevention. Why? Due to its very nature, the pinwheel expresses playfulness, joy and childhood. It has come to serve as a physical reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children.

Prevent Child Abuse Councils

Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Councils bring together leaders in our community to act as a voice for families and children to make sure their needs are met. By involving leaders from social work, education, government agencies, health care, community resources such as food pantries, business and nonprofits, PCA Councils are able to hear from every viewpoint in a community to better protect children and set communities up for success.

Whether it is making connections between resources, working together to develop solutions or creating events that highlight the work the community is doing to prevent child abuse, PCA Council members are helping to create a safer and brighter future for families.

Learn more about PCA Councils and find your local council by clicking here.

Find Local Resources

Iris Family Support Center is proud to work with our partners throughout the community to provide families with the resources they need and ensure their children grow up happy and healthy. Click on the button below to see our Community Resource List for 16 of the Indiana counties we serve.

Community Resource List