Preventing Child Abuse: Why Time Matters and How Simple Activities Can Make a Difference

Published on
04/11/2023
The County Conversation - Preventing Child Abuse

 

We take a deep dive into child abuse prevention with Janel Johnson, assistant program manager with Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services, on the April 5 episode of the “County Conversation” podcast.

Janel shares how Family Services engages the community through various programs and prevention services, such as the Healthy Families Fairfax program, Parenting Education Programs and Body Safety Program.

Listen to learn how support is a cost-effective form of prevention and promotes community thriving, and hear Janel relay a powerful, positive story from a parent.

Janel emphasizes the importance of spending time with children and how supporting families before a child becomes a teenager makes a huge difference in their development. She also notes the positive shift towards prevention and encourages community participation in support of children and families.

 

"It doesn't take a lot to schedule something special or spend a lot of money. Time with a child could really be just sitting on the couch and blowing some bubbles. It could be just having a child come with you to the store and letting them kind of select some things. It could be really simple things." - Janel Johnson, Child Abuse ans Neglect Prevention Services

 

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION SERVICES

A part of the Family Services Children, Youth and Families Division, Child Abuse Prevention Services’ mission is to strengthen families and prevent the abuse and neglect of children. They do this through partnerships with our community and other county agencies by providing no-cost, community-based prevention and early intervention services to promote healthy family functioning and encourage families to become self-reliant.

Email buildingstrongerfamilies@fairfaxcounty.gov for more information, volunteer opportunities and how to subscribe to a monthly newsletter. Learn more about Child Abuse and Prevention Services

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the Fairfax County Child Protective Services (CPS) Hotline at 703-324-7400.

 

THE COUNTY CONVERSATION PODCAST

The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Click here to listen to past episodes of "County Conversation.”

To find other county podcasts, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts

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