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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

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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 2026, Fairfax County is recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month with the theme “Building Stronger Families: Solid Foundations for Family Well-being.” Just like a house, families need a strong foundation to thrive. Love forms the walls and roof, but other factors—such as a strong support system, a social network, community resources, parenting knowledge, self-care, and empathy—help keep everything stable.

This theme builds on our recent focus areas—Words Matter, Time Matters, Family Matters, and Our Future Matters – Stronger Families, Thriving Community—and highlights how family protective factors support the safety and well-being of children. It also reminds us that everyone needs support at different times in their lives.

Together, we can promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments so that all children and families can thrive. Check out our community engagement toolkit for ways you can share the message!

Fast Facts

Nearly 260,000 children live in Fairfax County.
In FY 2025, more than 4,300 of those children were involved with Child Protective Services.
Child abuse and neglect cuts across all demographic areas and impacts our entire community.
Research shows that preventing adverse childhood experiences, like child abuse, may result in positive long-term health impacts and reduced costs to society.

Wear Blue Day is April 3

smiling family wearing blue On Friday, April 3, 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. Email photos to us or post your photos to social media with the hashtag #WearBlueDay and your pics may be displayed on our Facebook page.

Stronger Foundations for Parenting Workshop Series

Strong families start with solid foundations. This April, Fairfax County community members, parents, and caregivers of children ages 0–18 are invited to join a free workshop series to help build Stronger Foundations for Parenting.

Only two sessions remaining! Join us Thursday, April 23, 6–8 p.m. at Centreville Library for a workshop offered in Spanish on “Healthy Relationships: Parenting with Empathy” / “Relaciones Saludables: Criar con Empatía.” Followed by, “Holistic Child Well-Being: Mind, Body, and Community,” to be offered virtually on Wednesday, April 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. We’ll explore how children’s mental, physical, and social health are connected, and learn about family activities and community involvement that support overall well-being.

Board of Supervisors Proclamation

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented the proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month at their meeting on Tuesday, March 17, 2026. We are grateful to the county and community partners including Bikers Against Child Abuse, Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax CASA, and Fairfax County Public Schools who joined us, to demonstrate support and raise community awareness.

Watch the video of the 2026 proclamation and check out photos from that day.

Planting Pinwheels Across the County

girl scout troop 50093 with pinwheel garden in front of Pennino Building 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! Learn more about why you should create your own garden. Email photos to us or post your photos to social media with the hashtag #PinwheelsForPrevention and your pics may be displayed on our Facebook page. Check out instructions on how to make your own pinwheels in our Community Engagement Toolkit. Look out for pinwheel gardens at libraries, community centers and other sites near you.

Community Engagement Toolkit – Join the Conversation on Social Media

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.

Explore Toolkit

Not Sure About Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect?

It’s often really hard to know if a child is being harmed. Sometimes we may see it happening with our own eyes, but other times we may only see signs of what could be happening. Here are some tips to help you know what to do if something doesn’t look safe, sound safe, or feel safe.

Learn More

The Trauma of Child Abuse and Neglect is Preventable

Fortunately, the trauma of child abuse and neglect is preventable. The root of child abuse and neglect is often related to lack of role models, limited parenting knowledge, family stressors, and the absence of reliable support systems. As a result of effective strategies and services within the Children, Youth, and Families Division, there have been successful efforts to address these factors and help prevent child abuse and neglect before it occurs.

Department of Family Services

Department of Family Services Alert:

Department Resources

Related Resources

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Fast Facts

Wear Blue Day is April 3

Stronger Foundations for Parenting Workshop Series

Board of Supervisors Proclamation

Parenting Tips and Resources Newsletter

Planting Pinwheels Across the County

Community Engagement Toolkit – Join the Conversation on Social Media

Not Sure About Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect?

The Trauma of Child Abuse and Neglect is Preventable

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Ask Fairfax

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