Denver Human Services Recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month

Published on April 15, 2025

Child Abuse Prevention Month: Denver Human Services Spotlights Holistic Supports to Children, Youth and Families to Prevent Crisis

Pinwheel Planting, walk in the park will raise awareness to prevention resources

DENVER – April 1 – In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM) in April, Denver Human Services (DHS) will host actions that spotlight the agency’s holistic approach to build individual and family strengths that prevent crisis and improve child, youth and family wellbeing.

“Our vision is a healthy community where people are connected, supported, safe and well,” says Anne-Marie Braga, DHS Executive Director. “To that end, Denver Human Services delivers programs and resources every day that help prevent child neglect and abuse. We compassionately connect Denver residents to basic needs, protective services and supports that improve their wellbeing, including food and housing assistance, our Fatherhood Program, and workforce training, to name just a few.

“This is a great time to spotlight the important services we offer, and to remind everyone that we all have a role to play in strengthening families and preventing child maltreatment,” Braga adds.

DHS will raise awareness to CAPM on April 15, at the Richard T. Castro Human Services Center (1200 S. Federal Blvd), with a pinwheel planting in tribute to the childlike innocence and whimsy that this national observance seeks to protect. On April 30, DHS teams will gather at 9 a.m. at City Park to stride into the remaining year of prevention work together. They will don blue, the color of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and walk along the Mile High Loop.

Additionally, the City and County Building will be lit blue from April 11–14 in hopes of starting conversations about our collective responsibility to prevent the mistreatment of children by supporting robust social services.

DHS connects low-income families with childcare funds, free food resources, housing support, parenting support, workforce training, professional therapy and monetary benefits. For example, at DHS:

  • The GIVE Center provides basic needs items and connections to resources for Denver residents, including families, kinship providers, foster youth, and people experiencing homelessness.
  • The Parenthood/Fatherhood Program empowers people to grow as parents, supporting them to be the role models they want to be through free information, classes and support groups.
  • The Denver Parent Advocates Lending Support (DPALS) program works with parents involved with the child welfare system to provide support, peer encouragement and connection to resources, including family reunification.
  • The Emergency Housing Assistance program helps with mortgage payments, rent, eviction, energy costs and more for qualifying households.
  • Child Support Services help parents assume responsibility for the well-being of their children and can spare families from legal expenses when they sign up for its programs.
  • The Family and Adult Assistance Division (FAAD) provides access to vital food and cash assistance programs.

This year’s CAPM theme, “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention” underscores the need for holistic supports that prevent outcomes such as economic crisis, food insecurity, and housing instability, which may lead to neglect or abuse.

DHS invites the community to help raise awareness to CAPM through the following ways in April and beyond:   

  • Download the CAPM Toolkit: Access resources to educate your community and support parents.
  • Visit the City and County of Denver building while it’s lit blue from April 11-14. Post a photo on social media and use the hashtags #CAPM and #HumanTogether and tag @DenverHumanServices to show your support and to see how others are strengthening families in our community.
  • Encourage people in your community to support human services agencies and nonprofit organizations that assist vulnerable families and individuals.

For more ways to get involved in Child Abuse Prevention Month, or to make a donation, please visit https://copinwheelsforprevention.org. You can also learn more about child abuse prevention and how you can make a difference in the life of a child or family by calling 1-800-Children (244-5373). If you or someone you know suspects a child is being abused or neglected, call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-KIDS (1-844-264-5437).

About Denver Human Services

Denver Human Service envisions a healthy community where people are connected, supported, safe and well. Our mission is to compassionately serve Denver residents by connecting them to basic needs, protective services, and community supports to improve their well-being.

Media Contact

For more information contact:

Daniel Hernandez
Public Information Officer
Denver Human Services
Phone: 720-944-2326
Cell: 720-916-6220
daniel.hernandez@denvergov.org

 

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