SALISBURY — The Rowan County Department of Social Services and Prevent Child Abuse Rowan are host for an event to raise awareness for the prevention of child abuse from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday at City Park.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
This month and throughout the year, Rowan DSS and Prevent Child Abuse Rowan encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Rowan County a better place for children and families.
“By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their children,” Prevent Child Abuse Executive Director Beth Moore said, “we can help promote children’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.
Research shows when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth and families are promoted. The six protective factors are:
• Nurturing and attachment;
• Knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development;
• Parental resilience;
• Social connections;
• Concrete supports for parents;
• And social and emotional developmental well-being;
“April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children,” Moore said.
Rebecca Smith, Child Welfare Program administrator for Rowan DSS, added, “Everyone’s participation is critical. Focusing on ways to build and promote the protective factors, in every interaction with children and families, is the best thing our community can do to prevent child maltreatment and promote optimal child development.”