What’s the purpose of Child Abuse Prevention Month?
During April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month (NCAPM) to commemorate the importance of communities working together to support and strengthen families, with an overall goal of preventing child maltreatment. This month is focused on awareness of the issues of child abuse and neglect, and building partnerships that will work together to support families.
What does the child abuse prevention team at Yale New Haven Children's Hospital do?
Our child abuse team is made up of diverse individuals committed to eliminating child maltreatment and supporting families in need. We are actively involved in scholarly and community work aimed at achieving these goals. Our child abuse clinicians are available for consultation throughout the Yale New Haven Health System, as well as to community providers who are concerned about possible abuse or neglect. Our outpatient services include the Child Abuse Clinic/South Central Connecticut Child Advocacy Center, where we utilize a multidisciplinary team to complete forensic evaluations. We also see families referred by local child protective services agencies to our Integrated Care Clinic for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), which is focused on connecting caregivers to community-based IPV advocacy and enhancing parent-child relationships.
What should people do if they think or learn that a child is being abused?
To make a report of child abuse or neglect in Connecticut, contact the DCF Careline at 1-800-842-2288. You can find where to report in most other states via the federal Child Welfare Information Gateway database by clicking here.
How can parents and caregivers learn more?
This month, Yale's Child Abuse Clinic & South Central Connecticut Child Advocacy Center are hosting 3 events to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month.
- On April 10 from 2:00-3:330 p.m., join the virtual training Identifying Internet Risks & Red Flags of Trafficking. Please register here.
- On April 22 from 1:00-2:00 p.m., join the in-person event for our 10th Annual Child Abuse Awareness Event at the University of New Haven. Please register here.
- On April 25 from 6:00-7:00 p.m., join Internet Safety: Free Virtual Parent Training online. Please register here.