Partners in Prevention is a statewide initiative that focuses on innovative and effective strategies that build strong families and communities in order to prevent child abuse and neglect. Thirty-three community teams are currently participating, and we hope to add up to seven (7) new teams this fall. Click here to download the application to become a team.

On May 4, 2010, Our Babies: Safe and Sound, a statewide public awareness campaign to promote infant safe sleep and keeping your cool to prevent incidents of shaken baby syndrome, was launched at a press event at Women and Children's Hospital in Charleston, WV. Here are the links to the two 60 second videos developed for this campaign. Click here for more information on Our Babies: Safe and Sound.

Our Babies: Safe & Sound - Safe Sleep is Simple

Our Babies: Safe & Sound - Keep Your Cool

"Circles of Caring," a video from Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia, demonstrates that everyone can play a role in preventing child abuse. The Circles of Caring concept is based on research from the Center for the Study of Social Policy's Strengthening Families Initiative, which identifies several protective factors linked to reduced occurrences of child abuse and neglect. The video explains how individuals, groups, and communities can form the following Circles of Caring to support child development and prevent abuse:

• Knowledge of parenting and child development. Ensure that parents are educated about the stages of child development. Parent education programs, improved parenting skills, and parent information are part of this circle.
• Parental resilience. Reach out to parents, particularly during difficult times. Community programs such as in-home family education and parent support groups are part of this circle.
• Social connections. Be a supportive friend or helpful neighbor, get parents involved in local groups so that they can build relationships with each other, and connect with parents online through social networks and email.
• Social and emotional development of children. Support children's social and emotional skills and help them to express their feelings and needs effectively. Quality early care and education programs, trusted family members, and mentors are part of this circle and can help to strengthen communication and bonds among children, parents, and other adults.
• Concrete supports in times of need. Help parents during difficult times, especially through community services, donations, and volunteering.

More information about the protective factors is available on the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.

To order a "Circles of Caring" dvd, click on the button below.

Have a "Special Occasion" approaching?
Looking for that "special gift"? Would you like to celebrate your event AND support worthwhile projects across West Virginia helping children and families? This year, you can help give a West Virginia child a good beginning in life, through a gift that honors a special person in your life; such as an heirloom birth certificate, or other items from our PCAWV giftshop. Click here for more information.

Give a Gift That Gives Twice...
Do you have a special occasion approaching? Do you want to send flowers or cards that honor someone special? Click here for the Prevent Child Abuse West Virginia Gift Shop and give a gift that helps keep West Virginia children free from abuse and neglect.