Dallas County Advocates Raise Awareness for Child Abuse Prevention

The Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month with community outreach.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 3:32pm

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An abstract, out-of-focus photograph of a child's hand holding a colorful pinwheel, with the background blurred into soft, warm pools of light, conceptually representing the need to nurture and support children and families.The pinwheel, a symbol of childhood joy and imagination, serves as a reminder of the importance of creating the right conditions for children to thrive.Adel Today

The Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council is leading efforts to raise awareness about child abuse prevention during National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. The organization has placed pinwheels on the grounds of the Dallas County Courthouse, sheriff's office, and health campus to symbolize childhood and the importance of creating the right conditions for children to thrive. The council's president, Val Cameron, emphasizes the need for collaboration across sectors to address this issue and provide families with the resources and support they need.

Why it matters

Child abuse and neglect are serious issues that can have long-lasting impacts on individuals and communities. By bringing attention to this problem and the resources available, the Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council aims to empower the community to play a role in prevention and support for families.

The details

The Dallas County Supervisors have signed a proclamation recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. In addition to the pinwheel displays, the council has also placed pinwheel bases in all of the county's libraries, where residents can access parenting resources, bookmarks, and coloring books for children.

  • April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The players

Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council

A local organization that works year-round to address child abuse and neglect, with a focus on prevention and providing resources and support to families.

Val Cameron

The president of the Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council, who is leading the organization's efforts to raise awareness and collaboration around child abuse prevention.

Dallas County Supervisors

The county government officials who have signed a proclamation recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

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What they’re saying

“We know that again it's a year-long process, but families do not exist in isolation so preventing child abuse and neglect is a shared responsibility. So one that requires collaboration across early childhood health, housing, education, business, faith and community-based sectors. Sometimes it's not an easy thing to talk about, but it's very important. So the more that we can provide awareness as well as education to the community and across the county, the more that we can hope to lower those risks for children and families and also provide the resources and support that they need to thrive.”

— Val Cameron, President, Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council

“Our symbol is a pinwheel and the theme for this year's month is Pinwheels of Possibilities. So we know that pinwheels symbolize childhood, joy and imagination. But they also represent something deeper. They remind us that when the conditions are right, children can thrive.”

— Val Cameron, President, Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council

What’s next

The Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council will continue its year-round efforts to raise awareness and provide resources for child abuse prevention, with a focus on collaboration across different sectors of the community.

The takeaway

By bringing attention to child abuse prevention and the importance of supporting families, the Dallas County Children's Advocacy Council is empowering the local community to play a role in creating a safer and more nurturing environment for children to thrive.