Every child deserves to be in a safe and loving household. And yet, for hundreds across our nation, abuse, and neglect are devastating realities.

According to the CDC, at least 1 in 7 children has experienced child abuse in the past year in the United States. Unfortunately, this is likely an underestimate of the true number of cases, considering many go unreported.

However, we can all take a stand against child abuse.

Kids First of Florida is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that assists children in Clay County either at risk of abuse or neglect or who have already been victims of abuse or neglect to find safe and loving homes.

“We have foster care programs, respite programs, and adoption,” said Kids First of Florida CEO Elizabeth Franco.

“Our mission is to ensure the safety of children through a holistic approach designed to support the health and wellbeing of families. Together we are building a healthcare community one family at a time,” She said.

During the month of April, Kids First of Florida will join with child advocates around the US to bring awareness to the problem of child abuse and neglect, Franco said. “We know that childhood trauma can cause lifelong physical and mental health problems. Together, we can help prevent child abuse and neglect.”

Leaders in Clay County are making it known April is Child Abuse Prevention Month with the goal of bringing awareness to child abuse locally and nationally.

“There is a proclamation that is going out to the County’s Board of Commissioners at 4:00 today, Tuesday, March 28th, down at Green Cove Springs,” said administrative assistant Holly McCann. “So without being said, we are following up with that at the beginning of April to put out the blue pinwheels.”

According to the campaign’s website, Pinwheels for Prevention, the national symbol for child abuse prevention, serves as a physical reminder of the great childhoods we want for all children.

During the month of April, blue pinwheels will line the streets of Kingsley Ave in Orange Park as local organizations gather outside of Kids First of Florida to kick off the nationally recognized Child Abuse Prevention Month and the importance of communities working together to help families and children thrive.

“We put them out on the easement in front of our buildings on Kingsley Avenue, along with signs to raise community awareness about Child Abuse Prevention,” said McCann.

The kickoff will commence on Monday, April 3 at 9:30 am, beginning with a statement from Sheriff Cook on behalf of the Green Cove Sheriff’s Department and its mission to prevent child abuse and bring to justice those who hurt innocent children.

Although this is not a public event, there are ways to get involved. If you would like to be an advocate for children across the nation, begin child abuse prevention month by wearing blue and letting others know that you support growing a better tomorrow for all children.

As part of this effort, Kids First has joined the MANicure Movement, which encourages men and women to apply blue nail polish to a single fingernail. Kids First of Florida will be at Kids Fest in Orange Park April 22-23 and will have bottles of blue polish.

“We will gladly paint one fingernail blue to help “polish off Child Abuse” for anyone who would like to come by our booth,” said McCann.

Prevention month partners with many agencies, including KidsFirst of Florida and the Florida Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office.

The Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office represents abused, neglected, and abandoned children in court and the community and provides these children with quality legal representation while assisting them in expressing their needs and wishes.

“We are a multi-disciplinary team that includes a Guardian ad Litem Attorney, Child Welfare Professional, and hopefully a trained volunteer. We work together to represent the best interest of children who are in the child welfare system,” said Volunteer Recruiter Grant Jones.

If you want to make a difference in the lives of people, especially abused and neglected children, sign up for an info session or call directly at (904) 535-7152 to find out how you can get involved.

“We have a lot of kids who need a voice, and it is a really rewarding experience, so I urge anyone who is even thinking about volunteering to contact us,” Jones said.

For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities, contact KidsFirst of Florida at (904) 278-5644.