Sangamon Sun

Blue pinwheels adorned the lawn of HSHS St. John's Pavilion in Springfield on Tuesday as leaders from Hospital Sisters Health System, along with advocates and officials, marked the beginning of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The event featured a press conference that underscored the collective resolve to tackle child abuse.

Chad Markham, the Chief Operating Officer and Interim President, as well as CEO of the Central Illinois Market for HSHS, emphasized the dedication of the staff at HSHS St. John's Children's Hospital. He stated, "Our doctors, nurses, therapists and medical professionals begin each day with a promise to give the best, most loving care to the children entrusted to us by their families. This promise extends to keeping these kids safe from any type of harm, which is why we proudly support Child Abuse Prevention Month and the many programs our partnering organizations provide."

Reflecting on the theme of this year's campaign, "Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention," Tarra Winters, the Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, spoke on the importance of hope. "Hope – it’s a powerful word," Winters remarked. "It’s a force that drives us to act, to speak out, and to stand up for those who need us most."

From the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, Chief Deputy Director Maria Miller shared that new initiatives have been implemented to better protect children. "We are asking better, more targeted questions when families are first brought to our attention to identify truly high-risk cases and better focus our investigations," Miller explained.

Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher reflected on some of the challenges faced in her role, particularly with cases involving suspected child abuse and neglect. She highlighted the role of education in safeguarding children, saying, "If we can educate folks on how to deal with their anger management, I think that helps a lot of our children." The Mayor also issued a city proclamation in recognition of the day.

The gathering concluded with the planting of blue pinwheels on the Pavilion lawn, forming the outline of a blue ribbon—a symbolic gesture of the commitment to child protection. April was first designated as Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 following a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan and has been observed annually since.