Prevent Child Abuse Iowa's 'Pinwheels for Prevention' Campaign Continues to Grow

DES MOINES, IA (04/13/2009)(readMedia)-- The pinwheels are back, blowing in the Iowa wind, while the nation is recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The pinwheels are the centerpiece for the new campaign, "Pinwheels for Prevention." The pinwheel represents Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Iowa's effort to change the way our state thinks about prevention, focusing on community activities and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start to make sure child abuse and neglect never occur.

The actions we take to promote healthy child development are the very actions that help to prevent child abuse and neglect, like parent-child interaction, reading, and constructive play. Healthy child development starts a chain of events that follow a child into adulthood. Child Abuse Prevention month encourages Iowans to take a step back and consider the benefits of healthy child development.

PCA Iowa and the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign are calling for everyone to join this grassroots movement which focuses on healthy child development, creating stable, stimulating and loving environments for all children, and preventing child abuse and neglect before it ever occurs.

ABOUT PINWHEELS FOR PREVENTION

Pinwheels for Prevention is the grassroots signature campaign for PCA America and its 47 chapters nationwide. The pinwheel represents efforts to change the way our state thinks about prevention, focusing on community activities and public policies that prioritize prevention right from the start.

ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE IOWA

Founded in 1975, PCA Iowa's fundamental - and critically important - mission is to end child abuse in the entire state of Iowa. Its single-minded focus on prevention is unique in the child abuse field, where most efforts involve counseling and treating children and families after abuse has already occurred.

ABOUT PREVENT CHILD ABUSE AMERICA

PCA America, founded in Chicago in 1972, is the nation's leading organization working solely to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation's children. Through 47 state chapters and voluntary home visitation services provided by Healthy Families America in more than 400 communities nationwide, PCA America helps provide healthy, safe and nurturing experiences for more than 100,000 families every year.

For more information, please contact PCA Iowa at 1-800-CHILDREN or visit the following websites: www.pcaiowa.org, www.preventchildabuse.org, and www.pinwheelsforprevention.org.