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Let’s Play a Part in Building Community & Hope, April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

North Carolina’s future success relies on the healthy growth and development of all children. During April, National Child Abuse Prevention Month, The Children’s Council encourages Watauga County to come together to celebrate efforts to ensure all children have the safe, stable, nurturing environments they need to thrive.

These types of relationships build healthy brain architecture in children, forming a sturdy foundation for future success. Watauga County had 337 reports of abuse or neglect in 2016. One child is too many. Help us by reporting suspected abuse or neglect. You can do this by calling 828-265-8100. Calls can remain anonymous.

The Children’s Council encourages all citizens to learn more about the short and long term effects of child abuse and neglect on the child and the community.

“Child and youth development is the foundation for community and economic development,” said Robin Triplett, Family Service Coordinator at The Children’s Council. “When children experience abuse and neglect, the architecture of their maturing brains is damaged. If left unaddressed this leads to poor outcomes for the child and the community. These effects include academic failure, chronic long-term health issues, and increased crime rates and violence.”

One of the most effective ways to prevent child abuse and neglect from occurring is to ensure all parents have the knowledge, skills, resources, and social support they need to provide safe, stable, nurturing environments for their children.

The Children’s Council helps parents and families by provides these resources, education, and support within the context of several free programs and services.

A few of the services offered are: a free diaper bank, resource library, parenting classes, support groups, trainings and other parenting tools. Please call if you need extra help or information to feel supported in your parenting role or if you know someone who might benefit from what we have to offer: Call us at: 828-262-5424   or visit our website   www.thechildrenscouncil.org

Blue Pinwheels are the symbol for Child Abuse Prevention month. Several Blue Pinwheel Gardens will be planted around the county to help bring awareness that “Protecting Children is Everyone’s Job”.