Wear blue for Child Abuse Prevention

 On April 5, Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota invited people across the state to wear blue to show support for children and families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. If you missed it, don’t worry, there are still ways to show support.

 “Small steps can make a big difference in a child’s life,” explained Prevent Child Abuse North Dakota Executive Director Sandy Tibke. “We want to help people understand that it’s possible to do the things they love—cooking, making art and music, reading, or playing sports—and, at the same time, help families and their community thrive.”

 Here are a few ideas:

 • Volunteer for an after-school program and help kids spark their imaginations, too.

 • Give a new mom a break by bringing over dinner or offering an errand.

 • Coach a youth sports team— they’ll learn to trust teammates and themselves.

 • Host a kid-friendly BBQ or organize a block party so parents can socialize without the stress of finding a sitter— social connections with other parents helps to establish a strong support network.

 • Follow PCAND on Facebook for news about child abuse prevention events.

 • Contact your elected officials and urge them to support policies and programs that promote safe healthy childhoods.

 • Join with others and wear blue every Friday in April to show your support!