El Paso County, CO, April 2, 2025 – Blue pinwheels now spin in front of Centennial Hall, symbolizing hope and a commitment to child safety. On Tuesday, El Paso County Commissioners joined staff from the County Department of Human Services (DHS) to plant pinwheels in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During their meeting, the Board of County Commissioners also issued an official proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in El Paso County.

“Child safety is the foundation of any strong community, and it is certainly a priority in El Paso County,” said Catania Jones, DHS Children, Youth and Family Services Director. She expressed gratitude to County leadership, community partners, care providers, and all those who work tirelessly to protect children and support families.

In 2024, the El Paso County child abuse and neglect reporting hotline received 23,497 calls, generating 17,578 referrals involving children in the county. Not every referral resulted in an investigation, as sometimes, the best response is connecting a family with resources and support.

“Child protection staff don’t do this work for recognition, they do it because they care deeply about the children, families, and communities we serve,” said Stacie Kwitek, Executive Director of DHS.

The Board of Commissioners expressed appreciation for DHS staff, highlighting that child abuse prevention is a shared responsibility – everyone in the community plays a role.

Planting pinwheels is an annual tradition, inspired by Pinwheels for Prevention, a national initiative launched in 2008 by Prevent Child Abuse America. The pinwheels serve as a reminder that every child deserves a safe, happy childhood.

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Proclamations will also be issued by the Cities of Calhan, Colorado Springs, Fountain, Green Mountain Falls, Manitou Springs, and Monument.

If you have a concern about a child, call the hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS. You don’t need proof of abuse or neglect—just a concern. Every piece of information helps caseworkers gain a clearer picture of what a family may be experiencing. For more ways to support families and prevent child abuse, visit co4kids.org.

Photos available upon request; contact Paul Myers-Bennett at PaulMyers-Bennett@elpasoco.com

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www.ElPasoCo.com

Proclamation Recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month WHEREAS, every child in our community deserves to be valued, nurtured, and protected so they can grow into healthy, thriving individuals, and every child is entitled to feel safe, secure, and loved; and WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are serious issues affecting every segment of our community, with long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that can shape a child’s future and, in turn, the future of our county and state; and WHEREAS, strong families are the foundation of a strong community, and all parents and caregivers need support at times, as providing early help to families is far less costly—both financially and emotionally—than healing from trauma after it occurs; and WHEREAS, we can prevent child abuse and neglect by working together to strengthen the five protective factors in families’ lives: parental resilience, social connections, concrete support in times of need, knowledge of parenting and child development, and social and emotional competence in children; and WHEREAS, child abuse prevention is not the responsibility of a single agency but of an entire community, including human service agencies, public health organizations, schools, faith groups, law enforcement, the medical community, businesses, nonprofits, and, most importantly, caring individuals who take the time to support children and families; and WHEREAS, community leaders, policymakers, and elected officials play a unique role in building a safe community for children by understanding the programs and policies that support child maltreatment prevention, listening to parents’ needs, and shaping community planning through this lens to build healthier communities; and WHEREAS, by fostering a culture where every child is cherished, every family is supported, and every adult recognizes their role in preventing child abuse, we can create a safer, stronger, and more compassionate community; and WHEREAS, everyone has the power to contribute to a brighter future for children, whether by lending a helping hand to a parent, advocating for strong family policies, or simply being a trusted adult in a child’s life;

Proclamation Recognizing April as Child Abuse Awareness Month

Picture outside of Centennial Hall for Child Abuse Awareness Month

Proclamation Photo for Child Abuse Awareness Month