ACS Recognizes April As “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” With “Planting Pinwheels For Prevention” Awareness Event

April 14, 2025 Administration of Children's Services 0 American Culture, Babies and Kids, Charity, Civil Rights, Culture, Equality, Events, Health, Local Voices, Media and Communication, Morality and Ethics, New York City News, News, Politics, Science and Technology, SI Communities, Staten Island Culture, Staten Island Families, Staten Island News, Staten Islander Exclusive

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES RECOGNIZES APRIL AS “NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH”

ACS Hosts “Planting Pinwheels for Prevention” Event to Raise Awareness About Supportive Services Available to Families

Editor’s note: We have previously shared good news from the ACS, about their Fair Futures program, which assists youth formerly in the NYC foster care system. This program was recognized for the successful implementation of its first of its kind one-on-one coaching program serving foster care youth as they transition into their adult lives. While it is overly simplistic to say that the two largest homeless groups nationwide are former foster care kids and veterans, these two groups are overrepresented in most homeless populations across the country. As a result, this program is critical to providing the support that foster youth need to step forward on the path to a successful career and future outside of the system. ACS also recently announced a scholarship program for care providers in their network to earn their Master’s Degree in Social Work.

NEW YORK, NY – In recognition of April as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month,” the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) is planning a number of events to raise awareness about the city’s efforts to prevent abuse, keep children safe, and provide supports for families.

For instance, ACS hosted a “Planting Pinwheels for Prevention” event in City Hall Park. Pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention because they evoke a childlike sense of whimsy and wonder. Organizations across the country will be planting pinwheels throughout the month of April in order to take a stand against child abuse and raise awareness about the supportive services available to keep children safe and families supported.

We encourage all families interested in learning more about the services available to participate. ACS is also teaming up with Scouting America, Greater New York Council to host a day of outdoor activities for children at the Alpine Scout Camp.

“There is no greater responsibility than ensuring our littlest New Yorkers are safe and their families have everything they need to help them grow and thrive, and that’s why during National Child Abuse Prevention Month – and every month of the year – we are doing all we can to make sure New Yorkers know about the resources available to them,” said Jess Dannhauser, Commissioner of the NYC Administration for Children’s Services. “Whether it’s food insecurity, access to clothing and diapers, help with substance abuse treatment, or being connected to mental health counseling, we encourage all families with children to reach out to our dedicated prevention support line to get the services they need to help their families grow and thrive: 212-676-7667, or visit our website: www.nyc.gov/ForFamilies.”

ACS contracts with over 100 prevention programs throughout New York City. In 2023, approximately 15,000 families were served in ACS contracted prevention programs. A 2024 survey of families participating in prevention services showed strong satisfaction with services. Approximately 93 percent said the services were helping them achieve their goals; 93 percent said they are happy with the services their family received; 91 percent said they would recommend the services to a family member and/or a friend; and 91 percent said they would go to their prevention provider for help again in the future.

More and more, ACS has been collaborating with its partners in city government that work most closely with children and families to raise awareness about the services available and help families feel and be comfortable and safe enough to ask for and receive help without judgement or fear.

For example, ACS has jointly trained over 6,000 staff at New York City Public Schools in more than 65 sessions, and developed a training program that reached tens of thousands of school-based personnel last fall. As a result, we have seen a substantial increase in referrals from schools directly to prevention programs and other supportive services without involving the child protection system.

ACS has also been training Department of Homeless Services shelter staff and Department of Youth and Community Development after-school providers and helped revise a training program for NYC Health + Hospitals staff. These tailored sessions provide mandated reporters with tools they need to not only assess whether a report is truly needed, but also how to connect families with services and supports outside of the traditional child protection system.

“Making the city safe is among the highest priorities of Mayor Adams, and that certainly extends to the well-being of our most precious young New Yorkers. At the core of DYCD’s mission and the work of our staff and nonprofit partners is ensuring that young people and their families have the resources, skills, and support to maintain a healthy and safe environment,” said NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Keith Howard. “We stand with Commissioner Dannhauser, his ACS team, and our sister agencies in recognizing National Child Abuse Prevention Month and making New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“At NYC Parks, we know that access to safe, welcoming green spaces is essential to the well-being of all New Yorkers—especially our youngest residents. Parks are places where children can play freely, families can bond, and communities can grow stronger together,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “We’re proud to work with ACS for Child Abuse Prevention Month and host the ‘Planting Pinwheels for Prevention’ event in City Hall Park. These pinwheels are a powerful symbol of the joy, innocence, and safety every child deserves, and we remain committed to ensuring our parks continue to be safe havens where children and families can thrive.”

“In addition to providing medical care, NYC Health + Hospitals is committed to ensuring our patients are connected to any necessary social supports,” said Aaron Miller, MD, MPA, Assistant Vice President of Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment at NYC Health + Hospitals. “The recent Pathways to Prevention initiative with ACS expands that support network and creates additional training for our staff, ensuring that thousands of children and families get the care they need.”

“Every child in New York deserves to grow up healthy. We’re proud to partner with the Administration for Children’s Services during National Child Abuse Prevention Month to protect our kids and connect families with the essential support they need to thrive,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The Health Department provides a wide range of resources to families such as comprehensive child developmental screenings and vaccinations. These services represent just a fraction of New York City’s comprehensive family support system. By working together, we’re creating a stronger, healthier future for our city’s youngest residents.”

“We are committed to making New York the safest big city to raise a family and that starts by keeping children safe and ensuring families have access to trauma-informed resources,” said Saloni Sethi, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV). “When we intervene early, we can interrupt intergenerational cycles of abuse and prevent future violence. This Child Abuse Prevention Month, ENDGBV is thrilled to partner with ACS to raise awareness and connect families to the support they need.”

“As a mother and public servant, I believe that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment where they are seen, heard, and supported. National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a critical time to raise awareness about the services available to families before a crisis occurs.” NYC Council Member Althea Stevens, Chair of the Committee on Children & Youth, emphasizes, “I’m proud to stand with ACS and our community partners to ensure that prevention remains a priority—not just in April, but all year round. When we invest in our families, we build safer, stronger communities for every New Yorker.”