The blue pinwheel is the national symbol for child abuse prevention, serving as the reminder of the happy, playful childhoods desired for all children.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Calendar 2019

This April, let’s recognize the many roles that we can all play in preventing child abuse and neglect.

Wear blue! Communities across Colorado are planting pinwheel gardens and wearing blue as the sign of collective commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Music note and pinwheel logo: El Paso County Department of Human Services partnered with the Colorado Springs Conservatory to bring music to Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in April 2019.

El Paso County Department of Human Services partnered with the Colorado Springs Conservatory to bring music to Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in April 2019.

April 1, 2019

Child Abuse Prevention Month Flagship Event

  • 4:30 p.m.
  • Colorado Springs Conservatory, 415 S. Sahwatch St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903

A large group of children with the Colorado Springs Conservatory will perform the song “Home” as the Department of Human Services and others from the community gather to mark the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month. About 50 children have been practicing for the event. “Home” highlights the need for 100 new foster homes in El Paso County and there will be a robust recruitment effort in April.

After some brief remarks and the performance, more than 200 pinwheels will be planted at the Conservatory.

April 2, 2019

Child Abuse Prevention Month – Launch at the Capitol

  • 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
  • 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203 (Colorado State Capitol, First Floor, West Foyer)

Join more than 150 Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Campaign Partners to officially launch National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Colorado. Help us celebrate the many roles we can all play in every community, strengthening all families; thereby preventing child abuse and neglect before it happens. The day includes speakers, a video premiere and a special recognition for Unsung Heroes who strengthen families.

Colorado is officially adopting the symbol of the blue pinwheel, a national symbol of child abuse prevention, in April as a reminder of the bright childhoods all children deserve. Feel free to bring your children and plant a pinwheel garden with us.

The Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Public Awareness Campaign will award $5,000 to the Colorado non-profit organization that has the highest number of attendees at the April Child Abuse Month Day at the Capitol. Attendees should visit the North Foyer and locate the check-in table. (More information: https://co4kids.org/community/chance-win-5000-colorado-non-profit-organizations)

Schedule

  • 8 a.m.: Legislative breakfast (coffee and bagels, West Foyer)
  • 9:30 a.m.: Media event followed immediately by activities on the floor of the Colorado Senate and House
  • 12-2 p.m.: Legislator lunch (West Foyer)

Learn more about how we all play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect at http://www.co4kids.org/CAPM

April 2, 2019

Manitou Springs Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

  • 6 p.m.
  • Council Chambers, 606 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, CO 80829

Manitou Springs City Council will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 5, 2019

Live Radio Remote Broadcast

  • 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • El Paso County Citizens Service Center, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road

Radio station My 99.9 KVUU will be in front of the Citizens Service Center playing tunes and giving away pinwheels and other materials. There will also be a selfie station.

April 5 & 6, 2019

Empowered to Connect Conference

  • 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80920

The free simulcast is focused on equipping families, churches, and professionals to better serve children impacted by adoption and foster care.

Featuring Trust-Based Relational Intervention methods developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis and Dr. David Cross from the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development, this conference helps bring attachment and connection in families. The approach offers practical tools for parents, caregivers, teachers, or anyone who works with children to meet their unique needs and address the whole child.

Visit the webpage for more information and to register.

April 6, 2019

Safe Passage 25th Anniversary Party – Gotham Glam: Honoring Our Superheroes

  • 6-9 p.m.
  • The Gold Room, 18 S. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The event includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, drinks, silent auction and entertainment. Tickets are $65. For more information, visit www.SafePassageCAC.org. For available sponsorship opportunities, call (719) 636-2460.

Safe Passage focuses on abused children and the non-offending caregivers, enabling the healing process by acting as the single source of contact for medical, investigative, and legal services.

April 9, 2019

Colorado Springs Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

  • 1 p.m.
  • Council Chambers, City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903

Colorado Springs City Council will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 11, 2019

POSTPONED – El Paso County Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation and Pinwheel Planting

  • 9 a.m.
  • Centennial Hall, 198 S. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The Board of El Paso County Commissioners will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. Children and musicians with the Colorado Springs Conservatory will perform the song “Home” to highlight the need for 100 new foster homes in El Paso County. Afterwards, commissioners and others will plant a pinwheel garden outside Centennial Hall.

April 11, 2019

KPC Respite Center 5th Anniversary Celebration

  • 6 p.m.
  • KPC Respite & Nursery Center, 2503 Holiday Lane, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

Enjoy free food, tour the facility, meet staff members and volunteers, and learn more about the support and guidance KPC provides to families in El Paso County. The event is free to attend; RSVP requested.

KPC offers temporary crisis and planned childcare for infants and young children in Colorado Springs at no cost to parents or guardians. For more information and to RSVP visit lfsrm.org/events or call (719) 227-7571.

April 13, 2019

Be the Change!

  • 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, 5265 N. Union Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Join Lutheran Family Services for a kid-friendly event as we come together to support Colorado’s families. Free food, bounce house, fun activities, and a raffle every 30 minutes.

Brought to you by Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains & Dungarvin.

April 15, 2019

Department of Human Services Pinwheel Planting

  • 10 a.m. (approximate)
  • Front lawn, Citizens Services Center, 1675 Garden of the Gods Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

Department of Human Services Staff will plant a pinwheel garden to greet visitors to the El Paso County Citizens Services Center.

April 15, 2019

Monument Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

  • 6:30 p.m.
  • Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument, CO 80132

The Monument Board of Trustees will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 16, 2019

Green Mountain Falls Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

  • 7 p.m.
  • 10615 Green Mountain Falls Road, Green Mountain Falls, CO 80819

The Green Mountain Falls Board of Trustees will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 18, 2019

El Paso County Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation and Pinwheel Planting (Rescheduled from earlier date)

  • 9 a.m.
  • Centennial Hall, 198 S. Cascade Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The Board of El Paso County Commissioners will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. Children and musicians with the Colorado Springs Conservatory will perform the song “Home” to highlight the need for 100 new foster homes in El Paso County. Afterwards, commissioners and others will plant a pinwheel garden outside Centennial Hall.

April 23, 2019

Fountain Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation

  • 6 p.m.
  • Council Chambers, 116 S. Main St., Fountain, CO 80817

Fountain City Council will read a Proclamation recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month.

April 27, 2019

YMCA Healthy Kids Day

  • 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
  • Hosted by YMCAs in the County
    • Tri-Lakes – 17250 Jackson Creek Pkwy., Monument, CO 80132
    • Downtown – 207 N Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903
    • Garden Ranch – 2380 Montebello Dr. W, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
    • South East – 2190 Jet Wing Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80916
    • Briargate – 4025 Family Place, Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Representatives from Child Place Agencies around the County and staff from the Department of Human Services will be at each of the YMCA locations to answer questions about foster families. Children will have the opportunity to color their own pinwheel and assemble it, or take the materials home to complete the craft project.

April 29, 2019

Peaceful Households Annual Conference

  • 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (Registration/Check In begins at 7:15 a.m.)
  • Antlers Hotel, 4 South Cascade Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The conference offers unique learning and networking opportunities by bringing together national and regional experts to share the latest research, studies, ideas and trends from across the nation and our own communities. Speakers include Phillip Fischer, Ph.D., Phillip H. Knight Chair and Professor of Psychology at the University of Oregon were he serves as Founding Director of the Center for Translational Neuroscience. His work focuses on socially and economically disadvantaged families and child maltreatment. Another speaker, Jo McGuire, is as an advocate, speaker and writer for safe and drug-free workplaces, families and communities as the founder and President of Five Minutes of Courage. She also serves as the Senior Project Manager for TSS Inc, a workplace screening services provider, specializing in workplace drug and alcohol policy writing.

The cost of the event is $150, which includes lunch and parking.

Visit the Peaceful Households event website for the complete agenda and additional information, and to register.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. We all play role in strengthening families, and preventing child abuse and neglect. Learn more at CO4Kids.org