To kick off Child Abuse Prevention (CAP) Month, Children’s Trust hosted a luncheon in Columbia for CAP Month partners to come together from across the state. More than 60 organizations and agencies gathered to connect, learn and network with others organizing events and raising awareness during April.
“After hearing from our CAP Month partners last year, we wanted to give them the opportunity to connect and learn from one another as a way to kick off CAP Month,” said Brittany Crowley, community relations coordinator at Children’s Trust. “Prevention happens in community, and we wanted to celebrate the partnerships that make this work possible each day.”
Partners spent time connecting and sharing about their upcoming CAP Month plans. They also had space to dream with each other, responding to the small group discussion question: “If you had no time or budget constraints, what could you do for families in your community?”
Attendees also heard from Mike Leach, state director of the S.C. Department of Social Services; Amanda Whittle, South Carolina’s State Child Advocate and director of the S.C. Department of Children’s Advocacy; and Reverend Myron Wilkins, president and CEO of Thornwell.
Child Abuse Prevention Month, held annually in April, is the opportunity for organizations, governmental agencies, businesses, communities, faith-based groups and individuals to raise awareness about the importance of preventing child abuse and neglect.
For 2024, Children’s Trust is supporting nearly 180 organizations, agencies and businesses across the state to raise awareness and support families by distributing materials, issuing proclamations and hosting community events. Children’s Trust awarded mini grants to 29 organizations and community leadership grants to three organizations: Children’s Place, Inc., Dorchester Children’s Advocacy Center and Greer Relief.
CAP Month is sponsored by the S.C. Department of Social Services and the Administration for Children & Families.
Check out our photo album of the CAP Month Luncheon.
