Child Abuse Awareness Month kicks off with Play Day in the Park

  • Published
  • By Kenji Thuloweit
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  To kick off National Child Abuse Awareness Month and the Month of the Military Child, Edwards Family Advocacy and the 95th Medical Group hosted Play Day in the Park April 1.

On one of the warmest days this year, children, parents, Airmen and volunteers came out to Arnold Park to both have fun and learn.

"I believe it's very important to have awareness and show the community that they need to rally and help prevent child abuse," said Ebony Graves, Family Advocacy program assistant. "Child abuse is sometimes kind of hush-hush and taboo so we need to show the community and the kids that if it's happening to you it's OK to tell someone else."

"If you don't know where to go you can call Family Advocacy, you can call police services, you can call anyone who can link you to resources or at least give you numbers to call."

Edwards Family Advocacy put on the event with the help of the 95th MDG who provided a lot of the volunteers.

Several tables were set up around the park to hand out reading materials about child abuse and neglect and how to report and prevent such incidents.

One of the organizations represented was Wellspring, which had a table and a bean-bag toss at the picnic. Wellspring Healthcare Services is a non-profit psychotherapeutic and educational center dedicated to healing through relational approaches. Wellspring assists individuals and families in working through the emotional, psychological, and educational issues that prevent them from establishing and maintaining healthy and meaningful lives.

"We know from research that people with developmental disabilities are subject to, more than the typical population, to child abuse," said John Steinreich, Wellspring Healthcare Services. "It's very important for people to be aware of the risks that are inherent when they are working with kids with developmental disabilities."

"Oftentimes, kids with disabilities have negative behaviors that are outside the typical range, so family members and care providers may not understand proper behavioral management and there is a risk for abuse and neglect because of that."

The United States Department of Health and Human Services says Child Abuse Awareness Month is a time to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect and create strong communities to support children and families.

"It's important that at least one month out of the year we take time to recognize that there is child abuse and neglect that takes place within our society," said Col. Janet Taylor, 95th MDG commander.

Free hot dogs and burgers were served up straight from the grill and children got the chance to play on the bouncy castle as well as the gigantic inflatable obstacle course.

The 95th SFS put on a working dog display, and also brought with them McGruff the Crime Dog to take photos and teach kids to "take a bite out of crime."

McGruff also joined children on the Arnold Park stage where music was played and those who wanted to dance showed off their moves.

Play Day in the Park lasted from 3 to 4:30 p.m.