The DSS’ protective services team continued to educate the community by doing presentations to community partners on mandated reporting and providing information to the community on Safe Sleep for Infants. Department activities supporting Child Abuse Prevention Month include the following:
• Information on Child Abuse prevention will be displayed in the FDSS lobby with special thanks to Volunteer, Ruth Niedomanski.
• A pinwheel garden will be planted in front of the DSS building and the Dorothy Hart Community Center. The pinwheel is the symbol for child abuse prevention and is meant to reflect hope, health and happiness of children.
• On April 4th, Supervisor Hartung and Supervisor Newton will do a presentation to new CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers.
• On April 11th our Department will be partnering with the City of Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office in a fundraising event at the Central Park Wal-Mart for Cover a Cruiser from 12-4 pm. All proceeds will be donated to the Department’s Safe sleep campaign. To date the Department has given out 56 portable cribs in order for families to provide a safe sleeping environment for their child(ren).
• On April 21st our staff will contribute $5 to “Dress Down” for the day. All proceeds will be given to our local Child Advocacy Center, Safe Harbor who provide a safe and welcoming place for children who have been abused to be interviewed by professionals.