MAYVILLE, NY – April is Family Strength and Support month, and Child Abuse Prevention Month, a statewide campaign highlighting the critical importance of protecting children and supporting families. Throughout April, communities across Chautauqua County will unite to raise awareness, promote prevention strategies, and advocate for the safety and well-being of all children.
“Every child in Chautauqua County deserves a safe, nurturing environment where they can grow and thrive,” said Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel. “By coming together as a community through initiatives like the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, we not only raise awareness about child abuse but also demonstrate our shared commitment to supporting families and protecting our youngest residents year-round.”
Chautauqua County will kick off the month with a community event hosted in partnership with the Chautauqua Child Advocacy Program and the City of Jamestown. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at 1:15 p.m. at Jamestown City Hall and will include participation from Jamestown Public Schools “Justice for All” students. In addition to planting pinwheel gardens, the City of Jamestown will light City Hall blue throughout April to further raise awareness for Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“This month serves as a poignant reminder of the vital partnership between our community and families requiring additional support,” said Carmelo Hernandez, Director of the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services. “It truly takes a collective effort to nurture and uplift our children, and we all share the responsibility to ensure families in Chautauqua County thrive.”
According to the New York State Central Registry, Chautauqua County receives more than 2,600 reports of suspected child abuse or maltreatment each year. Of those reports, approximately 21% are substantiated, indicating credible evidence supporting allegations of abuse or neglect.
As part of the month-long effort, Chautauqua County and partner agencies are once again leading the “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign by planting pinwheel gardens across the county. The pinwheel serves as a national symbol of child abuse prevention, representing the hope, health, and happiness all children deserve.
“Pinwheel gardens not only raise awareness but also instill a sense of empowerment and responsibility,” said Saraden Randall of the Chautauqua Child Advocacy Program. “All community members have a role in ensuring children have positive experiences, and families have the resources they need when they need them—well before they are in crisis. The pinwheels represent planting seeds of hope for a better future for our community.”
During the Jamestown kickoff event, attendees—including students from Jamestown High School—will help plant pinwheel gardens at City Hall before participating in a symbolic walk to a nearby school to continue the effort.
“This collective effort not only beautifies public spaces but also serves as a powerful demonstration of solidarity in raising awareness about child abuse prevention,” said Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund. “Through these actions, participants emphasize the importance of fostering safe and supportive environments for children at every level of society.”
Additional pinwheel planting events scheduled throughout April include:
- April 14, 2026, at 1 p.m. – Dunkirk City Hall, 342 Central Avenue, Dunkirk
- April 17, 2026, at 12 p.m. – Chautauqua Municipal Building, 2 Academy Street, Mayville
All events are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to wear blue in solidarity with child abuse prevention efforts.
Community members are encouraged to scan the QR codes on yard signs or visit canva.link/chqcapmonth for more information, including how to recognize warning signs, learn about protective factors, and access a full calendar of family-strengthening activities.
For more information on protecting children from abuse and neglect, visit preventchildabuseny.org, chqgov.com/humansocial-services/children-family-services, or capjustice.org. If you suspect a child is being abused or maltreated, contact the New York State Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720.
