Every April, North Carolina underscores the importance of nurturing environments for children by designating it as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This initiative, recognized by Governor Josh Stein, is a call to action for communities to cultivate conditions where families and children can flourish.
The theme for North Carolina’s 2026 campaign, “Positive Childhoods Start With Us,” serves as a vital reminder of the collective responsibility in fostering supportive environments for young ones. NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai emphasized the need for a community-wide effort, stating, “Strengthening families requires a community-wide commitment to supporting parents and caregivers by investing in family support programs, ensuring families can meet basic needs like food and housing, and advancing policies such as paid family and medical leave.” He added that such investments help children “grow up with the positive experiences that help them thrive.”
Statistics from the CDC reveal that at least one in seven children in the U.S. has faced abuse or neglect in the past year. The prevalence of child maltreatment necessitates vigilance, and North Carolina law mandates reporting suspected cases to local Departments of Social Services.
Recognizing signs of abuse is crucial, and the NCDHHS website provides guidelines on potential indicators. While these signs do not confirm abuse, they warrant attention and possibly intervention. Legal obligations dictate that any suspicion of maltreatment must be reported to child protective services.
To bolster family support systems, NCDHHS collaborates with Positive Childhood Alliance NC (PCANC) and other partners to create a network dedicated to fostering positive experiences for children across the state. This alliance boasts nearly 1,000 members working towards building North Carolina’s first family well-being ecosystem, connecting stakeholders, sharing resources, and advocating for family-strengthening policies.
PCANC, with backing from NCDHHS, also manages the North Carolina Family Resource Center Network, offering local centers training and resources to better assist families. Additionally, they engage with policymakers to promote family-supportive policies, financial stability for families, and child sexual abuse prevention measures.
Through funding from NCDHHS, approximately 50 community-based agencies deliver programs like Circle of Parents and Triple P. These initiatives incorporate protective factors and adhere to the NC Division of Social Services’ Prevention Framework, aiming not only to prevent maltreatment but also to provide nurturing environments for children.
Sharon Hirsch, President and CEO of PCANC, remarked, “Families are at the heart of every community across North Carolina. When we all work together to strengthen communities and support families, we build a stronger future for us all.”
On April 1, 2026, stakeholders gathered at Chavis Memorial Park in Raleigh to amplify the message of community support for families during Child Abuse Prevention Month. The event highlighted the role everyone plays in helping children reach their full potential, with photos from the event available online.
Throughout April, PCANC and NCDHHS join the national movement to shift the narrative around child maltreatment, advocating for investments in programs that prioritize strong family units and connected communities. The public can participate by wearing blue on April 10 for #WearBlueDay2026 and engaging in the Week of Action from April 13-17, which focuses on policy advocacy and community strengthening initiatives.
For more information on how to get involved, visit www.PositiveChildhoodAllianceNC.org.
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