The Indiana Department of Child Services, in collaboration with The Villages and Prevent Child Abuse Indiana (PCAIN), kicked off Child Abuse Prevention Month with an event at the Indiana Statehouse.
The event featured Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, DCS Director Terry Stigdon, The Villages CEO/President Shannon Schumacher and PCAIN Director Jeff Wittman.
“This is a month where we call on every Hoosier to do their part in making sure Indiana has healthy, strong and supported families,” said Gov. Holcomb. “Working together to achieve this is essential to preventing child abuse and helping our communities thrive.”
This year’s theme is Building Together: Prevention in Partnership. Speakers emphasized the need to work together so children and families can thrive.
“The entire child welfare system must work together with our communities to serve children and families at the right time and in the right way,” Stigdon said. “But the work doesn’t stop there. We have much more to learn and do to keep our children from harm.”
“By preventing child maltreatment, we can build safer, healthier, communities for children – not only during the month of April, but year-round,” Schumacher added.
Anyone who suspects a child has been neglected or abused should call the Indiana Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 800-800-5556. For more information and resources on preventing child abuse and neglect, click here. Photos from the state kickoff can be found here.
About Indiana DCS: The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible. Indiana Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline: 800.800.5556. Child Support Customer Service Kidsline: 800.840.8757 or 317.233.5437. www.in.gov/dcs