Taylor County has been awarded as 1 out of 44 community teams in West Virginia to participate in the Partners in Prevention (PIP) grant. This grant is funded through TEAM for West Virginia’s Children, to support local efforts for safe and strong families. Taylor County Family Resources hosts the TCPIP Team and has a static meeting (via invitation-please call 304-265-6838 to be added to the list!
The Taylor County PIP Team focuses on educating our community on the signs and symptoms of child abuse and how to engage in the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Using the evidence-based National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention Funds Strengthening Families™ Framework we as a team seek to increase family strengths, enhance child development and reduce the likelihood of child abuse and neglect. We engage families and community members at large through programming and events designed to teach and instill:
The five protective factors
• Parental resilience
• Social connections
• Knowledge of parenting and child development
• Concrete support in times of need
• Social and emotional competence of children.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The pinwheel is recognized as the national symbol for child abuse prevention, and represents the happy, carefree childhoods all children deserve. In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention month, you’ll find pinwheel gardens around our community throughout the month of April.
Each of us has the power to do at least one thing to prevent child abuse and neglect.
You can:
• Be a friend to parents you know. Ask how their children are doing.
• Volunteer as a mentor for child in your community.
• Advocate for children and families by contacting your elected officials. Let them know you support policies and programs that promote healthy child development.
• Donate your time or money to childserving organizations.
Each year, our annual “Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign” kicks off with an event and flag-raising held at the Mother Day’s Shrine in Downtown Grafton. This event boasts a speaking engagement consisting of local leaders, senators/delegates, and business and community members. Each participant for this memorial kick-off participates in the event by planting a pinwheel to recognize a child affected by abuse or neglect.
These events serve as an integral part of the overall Campaign and are the mechanism through which we bring initial conversations about policy decision-making, and effective ways to engage with legislators and candidates, to communities across the state to build a greater awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect. Taylor County citizens need to be aware not only of the dangers of child abuse/neglect but the resources available to support families in times of need.
