LEXINGTON, Ky. — This April, the College of Social Work (CoSW) unites with communities throughout the country to commemorate National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This crucial initiative emphasizes collaborative efforts within communities to offer children and families significant, effective support. It’s especially focused on providing essential assistance to families facing difficult circumstances, underlining the collective commitment to nurturing and safeguarding our children’s well-being.
Child neglect is the most common form of child maltreatment. According to the latest national data, approximately 1.9 million children received prevention services in 2022 and more than half (55 percent) of victims received post response services.
National Child Abuse Prevention Month is more than just raising awareness about the reality of child maltreatment. It’s about taking action to reduce it. CoSW joins in on this national effort through advocacy, action, research, and education. By reducing vulnerabilities through strengths-based approaches that truly support families, we mitigate child maltreatment risks and improve the outcomes of our children, youth, and families.
This month and throughout the year, CoSW encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making the Commonwealth a better place for children and families. By ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote the social and emotional well-being of children and youth and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.
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