Highlighting the importance of partnering together for prevention

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise public awareness of child abuse prevention efforts, encourage community involvement, and promote resources that strengthen families and ensure every child has the chance to thrive.  

In March, Department of Human Services (DHS) leadership and staff joined Governor Brian P. Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, members of the General Assembly, and Positive Childhood Alliance Georgia to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month. You can read the 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation here.  

On April 4, DHS/DFCS employees wore blue, alongside child abuse prevention partners nationwide, to show their commitment to preventing child abuse.  

We recognize that prevention cannot happen without communities partnering together to strengthen youth and families. Below are a few examples of how policymakers, business leaders, and community members can help prevent child abuse, neglect, or other early adversities. To see a more detailed list of roles and action to help Georgia’s families thrive, visit belongingforhope.org/prevention-roles-actions. 

• Business leaders can promote a culture of parent support.
• Policymakers can identify and assess which policies may positively impact the lives of children and families and reduce possible barriers to families receiving needed support and resources.
• Faith communities can offer space for parent and youth activities.
• Family and youth serving organizations can train staff on preventing, recognizing, and responding to child abuse.
• Educators can follow up if something seems wrong with a child and be ready to connect families with local resources.
• Friends and neighbors can help break the social isolation some parents may experience and encourage parents to seek support when needed by visiting findhelpga.org.
• Individuals can volunteer for an afterschool mentoring program or with community organizations working to support families.  

In 2020, DFCS and its partners at Positive Childhood Alliance Georgia, formerly known as Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, surveyed the state and developed a State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan that includes ways individuals, communities, business, and others can get involved. Working together, we have the power to strengthen families by advocating for policies, programs, and practices that increase a family’s economic stability, access to early childhood education, physical and mental health, resilience, and community awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention strategies.  

Learn more about Georgia's prevention plan or download a copy at tinyurl.com/GACANPP. Find your role and join in prevention efforts today! 

How to report child abuse and/or neglect: 

If you have an immediate emergency, call 911 or your local police department; otherwise, call DFCS Child Protective Services to report child abuse and neglect at  

1-855-GACHILD (855-422-4453). Child abuse and neglect reports are taken 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Learn more about child protective services and reporting child abuse and/or neglect here.