City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett proclaimed April 2012 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Knoxville and Knox County.
Both Mayors agreed that there is a need for child abuse prevention programs like that of Child & Family Tennessee in Knox County. After reading the proclamation, the Mayors joined the Child & Family Tennessee staff as they planted a pinwheel garden outside the City-County Building. Pinwheels are a symbol of child abuse prevention, and gardens have been planted throughout the state to help raise awareness.
Seven cases of child abuse are reported every hour in Tennessee, and in 2010, there were 6,836 identified cases of child abuse in East Tennessee.
"We hope to help put an end to child abuse in Knox County and the surrounding area," said Joe Haas, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Child & Family Tennessee.
"Everyone can make a difference in the safety of our children by providing a supportive and loving environment for them."
Some ways to provide a supportive environment include the following:
Take a few minutes at the end of each day to connect with your children with a hug, a smile or spend a few minutes of listening and talking Encourage your child while completing everyday tasks Talk about activities that you do as a family Explore questions regarding our child's development and well-being with your family doctor, child's teacher, family or friends Take a free parenting class at Child & Family Tennessee
Everyone is encouraged to wear blue on April 13 to show their support for raising awareness for child abuse prevention.
Throughout the year, Child & Family Tennessee's Partners for Child Abuse Prevention works to prevent abuse and neglect through community awareness and the education of parents.
The Partners program offers Nurturing Parenting and anger management classes, Boot Camp for New Dads and Kids on the Block. Through Child & Family Tennessee's Kids on the Block puppeteer program, children learn how to report abuse.
"We hope we are touching the children's lives both through the Kids on the Block puppet shows and through their parents who attend our Nurturing Parenting classes and family-oriented events," said Partners Team Leader Nicci Williamson.
Anyone interested in the parenting or anger management classes or booking a puppet show should contact Williamson at 865-524-7483, ext. 248.
About Child & Family Tennessee
Nurturing East Tennesseans since 1929, Child & Family Tennessee, a private nonprofit, provides refuge for more than 44,000 women, children and families annually. CFT helps families and individuals rebuild their lives and achieve self-sufficiency through its five core areas of service - Encourage Wellness and Recovery; End the Cycle of Abuse; Promote Successful Adulthood; Provide Education and Prevention; and Shape Healthy Young Lives.
For more information on Child & Family Tennessee, call 865-524-7483.
About Pinwheels for Prevention
The tradition of planting a pinwheel garden was started in 2008 by Prevent Child Abuse America through the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign.