Fairfax County’s Child Abuse Prevention efforts seek to Build Stronger Families that can provide safe and healthy childhoods and lead to creating a strong, thriving community.
In 2025, our theme for National Child Abuse Prevention Month is "Our Future Matters – Stronger Families, Thriving Community." The theme emphasizes the importance of a family’s protective factors to the safety and wellbeing of children.
What are protective factors?
Protective factors are conditions or characteristics that help people deal more effectively with stressful events and decrease or eliminate the risk of family and childhood trauma. Fairfax County continues to be a community that is absolutely dedicated to maintaining the safety of children and to providing the appropriate services and supports to parents to keep families healthy.
- Parents and caregivers can find practical tips and strategies to deal successfully with life’s challenges and create a nurturing environment for their children.
- Partners can raise awareness of county resources by visiting our community engagement toolkit for ways you can share the message!
On Friday, April 4, wear blue to show your support of child abuse and neglect prevention and snap a photo to share on social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay! Join people across the nation in raising awareness of this societal issue, and prevention efforts in our community. 
Twana Johnson, program manager with Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services, stopped by the County Conversation podcast with host Jim Person. Twana flipped the script on Child Abuse Prevention Month and talked about county programs and resources that help keep families out of the child welfare system through parent education and outreach. 
Donating handmade items to children is a powerful way to spread kindness, warmth, and comfort. These gifts are more than just physical items; they are symbols of care, love, and hope. We are always in need of donations, particularly handmade items that have a personal touch. Whether you’re an expert knitter, a skilled seamstress, or someone who loves to paint, there are endless ways to make meaningful gifts for children in need. 
Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention. They symbolize a happy, healthy childhood. During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, we want to show kids we’re here for them by displaying pinwheels across our county! 
Children’s lives can be positively changed and even saved by active and aware community members. Help us spread awareness of community programs and resources. Check out our easy-to-use toolkit filled with messages and graphics you can share through social media or in your newsletters during Child Abuse Prevention Month this April.
Check out our collection of parenting resources, articles, podcasts, and video series Parenting 101, addressing the most pressing frequently asked parenting questions about discipline, self-care, family routines and more!