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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Every April, Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized as a time dedicated to
strengthening families and creating flourishing communities where all children can thrive.
Governor Stein has officially proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in North Carolina, and we’re joining forces with organizations, advocates, and professionals across the state in a month of action centered around the theme, “Positive Childhoods Start With Us.”
PCANC
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This April, we invite you to raise awareness about what communities need to strengthen
families and foster opportunities for Positive Childhood Experiences for all children. An
ecosystem of family support is possible with the collective efforts of passionate individuals
like you!
How can you take action this month?
- Wear Blue on Friday, April 10, for National Wear Blue Day, and share photos to social media
using hashtags #WearBlueDay2026 and #PCANC.
- Download the Child Abuse Prevention Month Toolkit (available in both English and
Spanish) with comprehensive resources, templates, and activity planning ideas to engage
your community.
- Attend or host a community Child Abuse Prevention Month event in your community.
- Participate in the Week of Action, April 13-17, recognizing the variety of ways to take action
to support children and families.
Every action, no matter how small, contributes to building brighter futures for North Carolina’s
children and families—because Positive Childhoods Start With Us.
Prevention 101: Learn the Basics
Learn more at PositiveChildhoodAllianceNC.org/child-abuse-prevention-month.
Regional professional development for school social workers is beginning. The remaining regions are forthcoming. Please plan to attend one of these sessions for the latest DPI updates, best practices for crisis intervention, and a relevant session from the NC Human Trafficking Commission.
School Counselors are welcome to join the afternoon session with the NC Human Trafficking Commission beginning at 12:45.
Order Free NCDHHS Print Materials for May Mental Health Month and Measles Education
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, recognized since 1949 to raise awareness, reduce stigma and provide support for mental health conditions. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is offering free 988 print materials to help you share this important message with your community throughout May.
Your order will include posters, flyers, rack cards, and wallet cards in both English and Spanish.
Please place your order by April 15, 2026, to ensure delivery by late April, so you can distribute materials in your community during Mental Health Awareness Month.
Measles is spreading in North Carolina. It’s dangerous—especially for infants and children. The MMR vaccine is the most effective way to prevent measles. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is providing free, printed measles educational materials for Local Health Departments, medical providers, community organizations and schools across the state to distribute in their communities. Sign up today for these newly designed materials. Your order will include posters and flyers available in English, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian.
Order your materials by April 9, 2026, to receive materials in early April to distribute in your community.
Resource to Add to Tool Box
The BTAM & ASD e-Guide is designed to provide best practice guidance to law enforcement agencies, leaders, and practitioners, as well as school officials, behavioral health specialists, parents, and community stakeholders. It is ideal for leaders and front-line staff from these organizations and from communities of all sizes and demographics.
This e-Guide is a self-paced resource guide, not a training program. The insights and tools offered in the guide are intended to be illustrative, not prescriptive. Reviewing the entire e-Guide requires up to two hours. However, some learners may prefer to use the e-Guide as a reference, interacting primarily with the sections that interest them.
Legislative Updates
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View the K-12 Education Office of Government and Community Affairs Update from April 2, 2026.
View here.
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RISE 2026 Registration
Registration is now open for the 2026 RISE Back to School Safety Summit! The Center for Safer Schools' largest event will be held from Tuesday, August 4 to Thursday, August 6, at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville, N.C.
Join us for sessions including bullying prevention, suicide prevention, critical incidents, and threat assessment.
SUN Bucks is Back for Summer 2026!
SUN Bucks is a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) program that provides grocery-buying benefits in a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child on a debit-like card that can be used to buy nutritious food during the summer months when schools are out.
Visit ncdhhs.gov/sunbucks for all the details, including eligibility information and FAQs.
*SSW'ers should ensure they are updating addresses as soon as possible upon learning of residence changing.
NCDHHS: Statewide Mental Health Bed Registry Connecting People in Crisis to Care
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced major updates to the statewide online mental health bed registry that will reduce wait times and ensure people in crisis receive care as soon as possible. The Behavioral Health Statewide Central Availability Navigator (BH SCAN) is now updated hourly instead of once per day and has been integrated with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 988 will be able to connect mobile crisis teams when they are dispatched to someone in crisis to let them know the available mental health beds in their area.
School Social Work Week Was Awesome!
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March was full of school social work celebrations. We have over 1,500 school social workers in our public schools, and the lengths they go to serve students and families are immeasurable.
Thank you all for acknowledging these professionals in your PSUs and celebrating their contributions to student success.
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Meet the Anson County SSW Team
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They celebrated 20 years of school social work within their district.
Names in photo from L to R: Bethany Castrejon, Kam A. McDonald, Cynthia Cox, Tia Little, Priscilla McDaniel, and Karen Freeman
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Strengthening School Connectedness to Increase Student Success
School connectedness has a powerful influence on students’ academic success, well-being, and long-term outcomes. When students feel valued, supported by teachers and peers, and engaged in school activities, they show higher attendance, academic performance, and better mental health. However, many students—particularly those from marginalized communities—report a lack of meaningful relationships and connection at school. This brief explores the factors that foster school connectedness, such as teacher-student relationships, supportive disciplinary policies, and extracurricular engagement. It offers evidence-based strategies for schools to build connectedness, from integrating culturally inclusive curricula to promoting student-led activities.
School Safety Grant Update
Please see the linked update from Center for Safer Schools Executive Director Karen W. Fairley regarding the School Safety Grants. If you have questions, please send an email to SchoolSafetyGrants@cfssnc.gov. Thank you for all you do to help keep our schools safer.
Free Virtual Nutrition Classes
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The Carolina Hunger Initiative offers FREE virtual nutrition classes to help families build healthy relationships with food and exercise. Learn more and register today at CarolinaHungerInitiative.org/classes.
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Join 3 weekly interactive classes, every Tuesday from April 7, 2026, through April 21, 2026, from 6:30-7:30pm. These classes share tips for:
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Nourishing your body with mindful movement
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Practicing mindful eating habits
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Sharing tips and tricks to improve sleep
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