The Woodland City Council passed a proclamation during Tuesday’s council meeting proclaiming the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The proclamation states that April is dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to prevent child abuse and neglect. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing, and stable environment, yet child abuse remains a widespread issue in our communities. However, it is preventable.

Each April, communities join the national movement for Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month to raise awareness about the preventability of child abuse and take action to support children and families.

According to the proclamation, this year’s CAP Month theme, “It Takes a Village,” reflects the African proverb that emphasizes the importance of community involvement in raising children. Yolo County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) recognizes that no one can do it alone—thriving children require connection, collective responsibility, and a commitment to being part of our village.

“The Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC) of Yolo County, a Yolo County Children’s Alliance (YCCA) program, coordinates the community’s efforts to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect and has members from Child Welfare Services, the criminal justice system, prevention and treatment services, and the larger community,” states the proclamation.

“Thank you for supporting children and families today and for making their well-being a priority in your work,” Chief Probation Officer for Yolo County Rachelle Gayton said. “The Child Abuse Prevention Council’s mission is to eliminate child abuse and neglect and to address the adversity and causes by strengthening families and communities. In 2024, Yolo County Child Welfare Services investigated allegations involving 1,033 children, while not every case was substantiated, 124 children entered foster care last year, although this number reflects a slight decrease from 2023, disparities persist.

“Black children ages zero to five, who make up just 2.5% of Yolo County’s child population, represented 10.5% of foster care entries. Addressing this disparity remains a top priority for the CAPC. We are committed to implementing culturally responsive strategies that protect our most vulnerable children and strengthen families.”

Tony Kildare, child welfare director for Yolo County, highlighted the importance of positive social connections with children and other adults that can help reduce the risk of child abuse.

“This year, child abuse prevention councils across northern California are joining forces under the “It Takes a Village” campaign, which is reinforcing the importance of collective action in preventing child abuse and ensuring child well-being,” Kildare said. “Research shows that strong social connections can significantly reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect. Every positive connection, whether from a teacher, neighbor, or mentor, can help a child thrive. So this year’s campaign is focusing on raising awareness and taking collective action through several key initiatives.”

Kildare shares that on April 25, pinwheel gardens will be up across the county to raise awareness and advocate for child well-being. Pinwheels are the national symbol of child abuse prevention.

“This date holds special significance as the children’s memorial flag day, which is observed on the fourth day of April since 1997, hosting a pinwheel garden at your organization, agency, or home is a powerful way to demonstrate the impact of positive connections on a child’s life. Each pinwheel represents the bright and healthy childhood every child deserves,” Kildare said.

Sara Gavin, chief behavioral and community health officer for CommuniCare+OLE and member of the CAPC, shares that there will be a community art project that is happening across Yolo County, which is aimed to encourage children to share their vision for a safe and nurturing world.

She mentions that hosting a pinwheel garden is also another way of taking action, and she encourages all to attend the children’s Memorial Day event on the last Friday of April at the Family Resource Center in West Sacramento to stand in solidarity with families who have experienced loss.

“Awareness matters, but action is also really important, and I know everybody cares about this effort and wants to come together to do that, and so that starts with, of course, fostering social connections, support for families in the community, engaging in community efforts, all of that can make a lasting impact,” Gavin said.