Your children matter. This April, remember that you matter, too.

Every caregiver needs support along the way. The stress we feel as parents can affect the interactions we have with our loved ones and our kids. That’s why this year’s theme for Child Abuse Prevention Month is “Happy and healthy children have parents who feel supported.” The campaign emphasizes not only the needs of the child, but the needs of the parents and caregivers as well.

Every April, we focus on raising awareness of family support and abuse prevention. Organizations and partners from around the state will join in support of prevention throughout the month. We encourage organizations, agencies, and families across the state of Florida to plant pinwheel gardens and host events celebrating healthy, happy childhoods.

Research shows that when parents’ needs are met and they have friends, family, and neighbors who support them as caregivers, their children thrive. Prevent Child Abuse Florida is here to help parents learn to build relationships with their children, manage stress, and connect to their community for support and resources.

One way caregivers can find support in Florida is our Circle of Parents® program. Through Circle of Parents, anyone in a parental role can seek guidance while discussing the challenges and triumphs of raising children with other parents. These support groups provide a judgement-free, respectful environment that helps build community between caregivers. Find a Circle of Parents group near you at www.preventchildabusefl.org/circle-of-parents.

Every baby cries. Some babies cry a lot. Period of PURPLE Crying® is a program that helps parents understand and cope with their baby’s crying. If you are the parent of a newborn, check out our information about the Period of PURPLE Crying at www.preventchildabusefl.org/purple.

Not sure how to find resources in your community? Look to the Hope Florida program through the Florida Department of Children and Families for additional support. Hope Florida was created by First Lady Casey DeSantis and administered by the Department with the goal of supporting Florida’s families through the utilization of family mentors, which they call Hope Navigators. The Hope Navigators work with families to help identify and achieve goals as well as refer families to different community-based partners, such as Healthy Families Florida. To speak with a Hope Navigator, call (833) GET HOPE. More information about the program can be found at https://hopeflorida.com/get-help.

This April, we are not only celebrating prevention efforts; we are normalizing the act of asking for help. It's important that families have access to the support they need when they need it, where they need it, and before there’s a crisis. Healthy and happy childhoods happen when parents have the support and community needed to thrive.

To learn about Child Abuse Prevention Month, read our new positive parenting guide, or download materials from our toolkit, visit www.preventchildabusefl.org. Together, we can prevent abuse and neglect by supporting Florida’s families.

Chesley Richardson is the Executive Director for Prevent Child Abuse Florida, a program of the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and the state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. She can be contacted at crichardson@ounce.org.