Springfield Marks Child Abuse Prevention Month

City leaders and advocates launch awareness campaign centered on community-wide intervention.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:55pm

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An extremely blurred, out-of-focus photograph showing a soft, hazy scene of children's toys and playground equipment in a dreamlike blur of pastel colors, conceptually representing the need for more proactive support systems to prevent child abuse.The 'Pinwheels of Possibility' display at HSHS St. John's Hospital aims to shift the public conversation around child abuse toward building more supportive communities.Springfield Today

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher issued an official proclamation for April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, kicking off a local campaign themed 'Pinwheels of Possibility.' The event featured the ceremonial planting of blue pinwheels outside HSHS St. John's Hospital, a national symbol for the healthy, safe childhood that advocates say every child deserves. Officials from the hospital, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois spoke about the importance of prioritizing child protection and building proactive support systems for families.

Why it matters

Child abuse and neglect remain serious issues in Springfield, with the mayor expressing a desire to eliminate such incidents entirely. This awareness campaign aims to shift the public conversation from reacting to trauma to building more collaborative, community-based prevention efforts.

The details

The 'Pinwheels of Possibility' event highlighted the statistic that one in seven children in the U.S. is affected by abuse or neglect annually. HSHS St. John's Hospital staff are trained to prioritize the active protection of children beyond just medical treatment. DCFS is implementing new processes this year to modernize its workforce and strengthen support for families, including a new 'Forward Together' engagement approach launching this summer.

  • The pinwheels will remain on display at HSHS St. John's Hospital through the end of April 2026.

The players

Misty Buscher

The mayor of Springfield, Illinois, who issued an official proclamation for April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Brian Brennan

The president and CEO of HSHS Central Illinois, which oversees HSHS St. John's Hospital.

Maria Miller

The chief deputy director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Tarra Winters

The executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois.

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What they’re saying

“Our physicians, providers, and caregivers here are giving world-class care. But they are also trained... to really protect children. It is the second part of their calling that is extremely important.”

— Brian Brennan, President and CEO, HSHS Central Illinois

“I read police reports where children are abused and neglected in Springfield a lot. This awareness needs to be spoken about every day, not just in April. My goal is to never see a police report with child abuse on it again.”

— Misty Buscher, Mayor of Springfield

“Work at DCFS is transformative. Progress in child welfare depends on genuine collaboration... across government agencies, our schools, and with families.”

— Maria Miller, Chief Deputy Director, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

“Prevention begins when families and communities are empowered to define what support looks like. We are moving toward collective responsibility.”

— Tarra Winters, Executive Director, Prevent Child Abuse Illinois

What’s next

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will launch a new 'Forward Together' engagement approach this summer to better understand the unique needs of each family and strengthen support systems.

The takeaway

This awareness campaign highlights the ongoing challenge of child abuse and neglect in Springfield, but also a shift toward more proactive, community-based prevention efforts that empower families and build collective responsibility for child well-being.