Students and faculty from NSU’s Department of Social Work planted pinwheels for Child Abuse Prevention Month. From left are Amelia Lewis of DeRidder, Ariel Williams of Logansport, Marina Moorehead of Alexandria, Byron McKinney, Lisa Mount, Jacobie McCormick of Franklinton, Kirby Peddy, Sherrie Davis and Jennifer Shaw.
NATCHITOCHES – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Northwestern State University’s Department of Social Work is raising awareness of tools to prevent, recognize and respond to child abuse.
Social Work faculty, staff and students gathered April 15 to “plant hope” by wearing blue and placing pinwheels at the NSU columns. Pinwheels represent the joy of childhood and the necessity of safe environments. Organizers hope to promote community action to support families and protect children.
“In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America did a campaign called Pinwheels for Prevention with the goal of highlighting that we all have a role to play in preventing child abuse and that the safe, stable relationships we form with children are really important for them to be successful later in life. It helps build communities,” said Lisa Mount, assistant professor and Title IV-E coordinator.
Earlier in the week, NSU’s Title IV-E Child Welfare Program and Children’s Advocacy Network (CAN) of Alexandria hosted a training program titled “Darkness to Light: Stewards of Children” at NSU, an evidence-informed program that equips adults with tools to prevent, recognize and respond to child sexual abuse. A group also visited the state capitol to participate in NASW-Louisiana Chapter Lobby Day, meet staff from the Department of Children and Family Services and see policy in action.
Planting the pinwheels is one way of bringing awareness to protecting abused and neglected children.
“It’s an action we are taking. We’re calling our event Planting Hope because we want to spread hope for the future. We can all take action and prevent child abuse in our community,” Mount said.
Information on NSU’s Department of Social Work is available at https://www.nsula.edu/social-work/.