Prevent Child Abuse Pennsylvania

10/12/2023

Introducing the Courage First Athlete Helpline, an invaluable addition to the National Child Abuse Hotline.

To access this resource, call or text: 1-888-279-1026 or visit Childhelp.org.

04/06/2023

04/01/2023

Today, April 1st, marks the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Today we hold our blue pinwheels to symbolize hope for a better tomorrow for the children that suffer at the hands of those they trust the most.

At HEAL PA, our goal is to transform Pennsylvania into a trauma-informed state. In doing so, we know that the trauma that children face has adverse lasting effects on adulthood. Our future is dependent upon our ability to care for and protect our kids. For, of course, we were all children once; including the incarcerated, the homeless, and the forgotten.

Pennsylvania has been coined as a trauma-informed state; yet, we are without an Office of the Child Advocate. 32 states across the country, both red and blue, have legislatively devoted themselves to mitigating child abuse through the creation of offices, departments, and divisions centered around advocacy for children. These states include Massachusetts, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maryland, Ohio, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Georgia, and Kentucky, among others.

For Pennsylvania to honor Child Abuse Prevention Month, and to honor its title as Trauma-Informed, we must start advocating for those who cannot care or advocate for themselves. What we do now for our young citizens will determine whether we progress as a commonwealth and country, or remain complicit in the mistreatment of our greatest asset.

For the children who deserve better, we wave our blue pinwheels to promote hope and change for a better tomorrow. We hold our pinwheels to advocate for the right of our future generations to their childhoods. We hold them today, throughout April, and on Monday, April 3rd, to urge the Pennsylvania legislature to finally create its Office of the Child Advocate.

03/28/2023

05/26/2022

Our hearts are with the families of the victims and the entire community in Uvalde, Texas. Words are not enough to express our collective grief. But caregivers and teachers can help establish a sense of normalcy and security for children after high-profile acts of violence. Click the link below for tips developed by National Association of School Psychologists about how to talk to children about violence.

Learn More: https://www.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/resources-and-podcasts/school-safety-and-crisis/school-violence-resources/talking-to-children-about-violence-tips-for-parents-and-teachers

05/03/2022

04/22/2022

When we work together, we can all help prepare children to grow up to be healthy and thriving members of our community.

Learn how you can help by planting a pinwheel in our nationwide virtual garden: https://bit.ly/VirtualPinwheelGarden 🌱

04/17/2022

Warmest thoughts to you and your family on this holiday. Happy Easter!