“Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention” is the 2025 national theme for Child Abuse Awareness Month. Families are at the center of the West Virginia Partners in Prevention team’s vision, creating a world where all children and families are living a purposeful and happy life with hope for the future. By ensuring families have the support they need before challenges become crises, the team can create a future filled with hope and opportunity.
Why does prevention matter? One in seven children in the United States experiences abuse or neglect, but prevention is possible. Positive childhood experiences, stable relationships and nurturing environments help children thrive and mitigate adverse childhood experiences.
Only 15 percent of the $33 billion spent annually on child welfare goes toward prevention. Shifting resources to proactive solutions strengthens families and reduces harm. A bold goal for 2050 is to cut child abuse and neglect reports in half, protecting 50 million children by building a primary prevention ecosystem that centers on families.
The PIP team is making a call to action. Prevention is a shared responsibility. Families, communities, policymakers, and organizations must work together to provide the following:
- Economic and social support through affordable childcare, paid leave, and financial stability.
- Community-based solutions by providing access to local resources and networks.
- Stronger prevention policies that make investments that uplift families before harm occurs.
PIP’s approach is a primary prevention ecosystem in America that is leading the way with three key pillars: shared value for prevention to align mindsets and policies; prevention structures centering families in decision-making; and prevention resources for ensuring leadership, community support, and family strengthening policies become law.
How can a person help? One can advocate for family-centered policies like paid leave and increased prevention funding, raise awareness by share resources, engaging in conversations, and joining Wear Blue Day on April 4, and invest in prevention by supporting programs that empower families before crises arise.
“Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention,” let’s commit to a future where every child grows up safe, loved, and full of hope. Prevention isn’t just about avoiding harm; it’s about creating opportunities for families to thrive. With hope as a person’s guide and prevention as one’s strength, everyone can build a world where every family has what they need to succeed.
