Partnering together for child abuse and neglect prevention

Each April, the Georgia Department of Human Services’ Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS) joins the nation in recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month. We use this time to highlight our year-round efforts to increase public awareness of child abuse prevention efforts, encourage community involvement in prevention programming, and promote resources that strengthen families and ensure every child has the chance to thrive. You can read the Governor Kemp’s 2026 Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation here.

Throughout April, DFCS employees wore blue and participated in Pinwheels for Prevention to show their commitment to preventing child abuse. Pinwheels represent the happy and healthy lives all children deserve, and serve as visual reminders that we all play an important role in preventing child abuse.

Child abuse and neglect prevention efforts are most effective when communities partner together. Below are a few examples of how business leaders, faith-based organizations, and community members can help prevent child abuse, neglect, or other early adversities. To see a more detailed list of roles and actions you can take to help Georgia’s families thrive, visit belongingforhope.org/prevention-roles-actions. 

• Business leaders can promote a culture of parent support.  
• Faith communities can offer space for parent and youth activities.  
• Family and youth serving organizations can train staff on how to prevent, recognize, and respond to child abuse.  
• Policymakers can identify and assess which policies could positively impact the lives of children and families and reduce possible barriers to families receiving needed support and resources.  
• 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 take advantage of community support when needed by visiting findhelpga.org.  
• Individuals can volunteer for an afterschool mentoring program or with community organizations working to support families.  

For additional ways to get involved, you can review Georgia’s State Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan. 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. You can access and download Georgia's prevention plan at tinyurl.com/GACANPP. Find your role and join in prevention efforts today! 

If you or someone you know suspects that child abuse and/or neglect is occurring, please review the below information. 

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 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 at dfcs.georgia.gov/services/child-abuse-neglect. 

Related to: 

• Division of Family & Children Services