Mount Nittany Health is proud to recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. According to the Office of the Administration for Children and Families, National Child Abuse Prevention Month recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Throughout April, several events will commemorate the month and raise overall awareness about child abuse prevention.

• On Tuesday, April 2^nd, the Centre County Commissioners issued a special proclamation recognizing the importance of child abuse and sexual assault prevention. The YMCA of Centre County, Centre County Youth Service Bureau, Centre Safe, Children and Youth Services, and the Mount Nittany Health Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County were present to receive the proclamation, as these organizations are part of a partnership known as The Better2gether Collaboration.
• Kim Saltsman, Executive Director of the Mount Nittany Health Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Centre County, received the Blue Ribbon Champion for Safe Kids Award from the PA Family Support Alliance. Saltsman was recognized during a special ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg, PA.
• Friday, April 5^th is Wear Blue Day. Wearing blue is a simple but powerful way to raise awareness of child abuse and show our solidarity with those who have been impacted by it. By wearing blue, we can send a message of hope and support to children and families in need.
• The YMCA of Centre County, State College Branch invites you to Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 20^th from 1:00-4:00 pm at the State College YMCA. This event will feature several awareness activities from the Better2gether collaboration and is a free, fun, family event that celebrates kids being kids.
• Throughout the year, trainings are offered by the organizations from the Better2gether Collaboration to help prevent child abuse and keep children safe online. Adults can visit ymcaocc.org to register for a free Stewards of Children by Darkness to Light Child Abuse Prevention Training, sponsored by Mount Nittany Health and in partnership with the Centre County Youth Service Bureau.

During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we recognize that we all play a part in keeping children safe. In our community, the Mount Nittany Health Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County annually serves an average of 300 children, who are victims of abuse or witnesses to crimes. Together, through collaborative efforts, community awareness, and preventative measures, we can create a safer and more hopeful future for all children in Centre County.

If you know or suspect a child is experiencing abuse, please call Pennsylvania’s toll-free, 24-hour reporting ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 immediately, or contact your local police department. You do not need proof of abuse to make a report.