Dickson House Children's Advocacy Center honors National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Pike County is going blue for the month of April in support of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Why blue? Because blue is the official color of this awareness effort.

National Child Abuse Prevention Month provides an opportunity to educate and raise awareness for the importance of preventing child maltreatment in communities. The Dickson House Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) uses this month to organize awareness efforts locally to draw additional attention to preventing child maltreatment because all children deserve to grow up in a safe, supportive environment.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Events

As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Pike County Government Buildings including the CAC, the Administration Building, and the Courthouse will be illuminated blue. By shining a blue light, we hope to shed light on the many ways to support children and families. The CAC encourages residents and businesses to join them and turn the county blue.

Read with Violet

Violet, the CAC comfort dog was at the Milford Branch of the Pike County Public Library on April 1st and at the Dingman Township Branch on April 5th for two Read with Violet events.

Pinwheel Display

You may notice pinwheels around the county this month. Pinwheels symbolize the joy and playfulness of what childhood should be. The pinwheel is a National Child Abuse Prevention Month prevention symbol used as a reminder that we are all individually responsible for protecting children in our lives, and communities.

A pinwheel display will be featured on the lawn of the CAC as well as at a few local elementary and primary schools including Delaware Valley Elementary School, Dingman Delaware Elementary School, Dingman Delaware Primary School, and Shohola Elementary School.

Students from these schools have lent a hand in coloring and decorating paper pinwheels that will be used to decorate the county. Many Pike County offices, local shops and restaurants have committed to displaying the students’ artwork.

Public Outreach

The CAC has coordinated with a few restaurants within the County to feature a special blue menu item this month. Participating restaurants include:

  • Promise Land Inn
  • Milford Hospitality (Jive, Apple Valley, La Posada, Tom Quick)
  • Mountain House Tavern
  • Jam Room Brewing
  • Side Street
  • Two Rivers Grille (non-alcoholic only)

The Daily Grind will also have coffee sleeves created by the CAC featuring information on National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Wear Blue Fridays

An additional way to participate in National Child Abuse Prevention month is to wear blue on Fridays to show your support of positive childhood experiences and the prevention of adversity. Please send photos to the CAC to be featured on their social media platforms.

About the Children’s Advocacy Center

The Dickson House Children’s Advocacy Center is a child-focused center that provides forensic interviews, medical exams for physical and sexual abuse, and helps connect families to available services.

There are over 2 million children under the age of 18 in Pennsylvania, and over 44 thousand reports of suspect abuse. Pike County has over 10K children under 18 years of age. In 2023, the Dickson House served 218.

Community support is crucial to creating awareness. Together we can prevent child abuse.

To report suspected child abuse please call the Childline 24/7 hotline at 1-800-932-0313.

Follow the Dickson House Children’s Advocacy Center on its Facebook and Instagram accounts.