By SAVANNAH BARR

s.barr@bradfordera.com

There are many events scheduled across the area to mark April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

More than 550,000 cases of child abuse are known to United States authorities, according to the National Children’s Alliance. An estimated 558,899 children were victims of abuse and neglect in the United States in 2022, the most recent year data was collected. And those are only the reported cases.

Today is Wear Blue Day. People are encouraged to wear blue to spread awareness of the problem. The goal is to support children, strengthen families and uplift communities. Be on the lookout for social media blasts. Pictures can be posted to the Children Advocacy Center’s Facebook Page or emailed to trhartzell@mckeancountypa. gov In addition, pinwheel gardens and blue silhouette displays will be placed throughout the area. Pinwheels have become a visual representation of the month.

They are a reminder that every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, loved and protected.

There will be pinwheels planted at noon today at the Children’s Advocacy Center and McKean County Courthouse. More pinwheels will find homes at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Bradford First Church of

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Roadside pinwheel gardens seen throughout the area during April aim to remind passersby that every child deserves to grow up feeling safe, loved and protected. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month and blue is its symbolic color.

Era file photo Nazarene. More will be placed at 5 p.m. Saturday at The Spoonwood Inn, Kane. Finally, WESB Radio will host a talk series entitled Protective Factors for Strengthening Families on Fridays at 9:35 a.m.

On April 4, guests will be Tabatha Johnson and Michele McVay from Intermediate Unit 9.

On April 11, the guests will be Mikah Watkins, Gina Smith and Jada Luther from Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Services. On April 18, Stacie Clerkin of The Guidance Center will speak on education and prevention. Finally on April 25, the guest will be Shelley Alcorn, program director for the YWCA Victims’ Resource Center.

On April 8 at 10 a.m. the McKean County Commissioners will issue a proclamation recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention month.

They will call upon all citizens to support families and our communities.

Keeping Kids Safe, a free community event addressing internet threats and human trafficking, will be held at 6 p.m. April 16 at Riverstone Community Church. Speakers will be state Sen. Cris Dush, R-Brookville; Doug Lengenfelder, field representative for Dush; and McKean County District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and community resources will be available onsite.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of McKean County and the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work will host an event from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

April 24 in the University Room at the UPB campus. Guest speaker will be Dr.

Nancy McCabe, professor of writing and director of creative and professional writing.

On April 25 National Children’s Memorial Day will be observed at the McKean County Courthouse. A flag commemorating Child Abuse Prevention will be on display at the courthouse throughout April.

Finally the month’s activities will culminate during McKean County Community Fest, to be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

April 26 at the Bradford YMCA.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is made possible through the combined efforts of the McKean County Colaborative Board, committed volunteers and community sponsors.