Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to promote community awareness and to encourage positive actions needed to stop preventable harm to children. The Kern County Department of Human Services (KCDHS) will partner with the Kern County Network for Children (KCNC), and numerous committed agencies, parents, relatives, community volunteers, public policymakers and professionals to improve child well-being in the county and give our children hope, security and safety.  Activities and trainings that will be held during the month include the following:

 

• Tuesday, March 24^th— at 9:00 a.m. Kern County Board of Supervisors Proclamation of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month at 1115 Truxtun Ave., Bakersfield, CA. www.kerncounty.com/government/board-of-supervisors

• April, All Month Long— "Stronger Families Donation Drive” in Honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month: Collecting child‑safety items to support families served through local programs dedicated to preventing child abuse.

•  April, All Month Long— A Kids Art Contest with the theme “My Big Dream” will be held for children grades K-12^th. Their artwork will be showcased at the Office of Child Abuse Prevention, at KCNC Social Media, and at the 2026 Strong Families, Safer Futures Resource Event” Resource Event. 

•  April, All Month Long— The Heartbeat of Human Services Podcast “Stronger Together: Conversation on Family Support Centers” Presenting The Open Door Network, Greenfield FRC, and the voices of families with lived experiences. Kern County Department of Human Services www.kcdhs.org

• Thursday, April 2^nd — from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. “Cost of Poverty Experience (COPE)” training held in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, hosted by KCSOS Foster Youth Education Program https://events.humanitix.com/kern-county-superintendent-of-schools-community-schools-program-cope-general-admission

• Thursday, April 9^th— from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. “Domestic Violence and Mandated Reporter Training” led by Kern County Department of Human Services www.kcdhs.org, hosted by KCNC www.kcnc.org. Register to attend in-person at www.bit.ly/KCNCIn-Person-April9th and to attend virtually at www.bit.ly/KCNCTraining-April9th

• Friday, April 10^th— “Wear Blue Day” in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Upload images of you or your team wearing blue to www.bit.ly/wearblue-april10 – Social Media Campaign #WearBlueDay2026

•  Friday, April 10^th— from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. “Blue Pinwheel Display” at Houchin Blood Bank, 5901 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA, check out CASA of Kern County www.kerncasa.org

• Tuesday, April 14^th— from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. professional development training for child care providers on   “Child Abuse Prevention and Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) / Shaken Baby Syndrome” (ENGLISH) led by the Kern County Network for Children, hosted by Community Connections for Child Care www.kern.org/community-connection-child-care/. Register online at www.caregistry.org

• Thursday, April 16^th— from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. “2026 Strong Families, Safer Futures Resource Event” in honor of April Child Abuse Prevention Month. This event honors the children who have been victims of child abuse and neglect and highlights the vital work of community organizations dedicated to prevention. Every child deserves to grow up safe, supported, and loved. Memorial flag raising and pinwheel display will be held during this event. Location: Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center, 801 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield, CA

•  Monday, April 20^th— from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. “Healthy Outcomes From Positive Experiences Training”  led by      The HOPE National Resource Center, hosted by KCNC www.kcnc.org & KCSOS www.kern.org. Register to attend  in-person at www.bit.ly/KCNCIn-Person-April20th and to attend virtually at www.bit.ly/KCNCTraining-April20th

• Wednesday April 22^nd— from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. “Blue Pinwheel Display” at the 11th Annual California State University of Bakersfield Mental Health Awareness Event, at the CSUB Student Union patio & Runner Park, displayed by CASA of Kern County www.kerncasa.org

• Thursday, April 23^rd— from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. professional development training for doula service providers on     “Child Abuse Prevention and Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) / Shaken Baby Syndrome” led by the Kern County Network for Children, hosted by In the Waiting Doula Services www.inthewaitingdoulaservices.com

• Friday, April 24^th— from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. “Blue Pinwheel Display” at Arvin Spring Fest Event, at Grow Academy Arvin, 901 Nectarine Court, Arvin, CA, displayed by CASA of Kern County www.kerncasa.org

• Sunday, April 26^th— “Blue Sunday” A day of prayer for abused children and those who rescue them. This National Day of Prayer reminds us to intercede for abused and neglected children. This day we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month at places of worship throughout Kern County. For more information go to www.bluesunday.org.

•  Tuesday, April 28^th— from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. professional development training for child care providers on “Child Abuse Prevention and Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) / Shaken Baby Syndrome” (SPANISH) led by the Kern County Network for Children, hosted by Community Connections for Child Care www.kern.org/community-connection-child-care/. Register online at www.caregistry.org 
  
  In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month we are also inviting our faith-based partners to participate in “Blue Sunday” on April 26, 2026.  This is a day designated nationally to pray for and remember the victims of child abuse and all who work to rescue them. Visit www.bluesunday.org for more information. 

Additionally, the County Administrative Center will be lit up blue for the entire month of April in honor of CAP Month. This month and throughout the year, we encourage all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Kern County a better place for families, by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children. Together we can help prevent child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and communities.