Truth be told—summer has always been my most favorite season. Maybe it’s the sunshine, the end of school year celebrations and fun, and a general deep breath that’s taken while eating popsicles on a patio or rooftop. But, as a parent, summertime is also really stressful with costly and even unaffordable summer camps, the pressure to fill our children’s time without the structure and coverage of a full school day, and general lack of high-quality childcare, food, and other concrete supports families need to thrive. Our work to continue to support children and families in the many ways they need to be supported continues year-round.

Still, June brings many opportunities to celebrate: The United Nations’ Global Day of Parents was on June 1, highlighting the central role parents play in the well-being and development of their children. June is also National Children's Awareness Month, focusing on the importance of children reaching their full health and life potential. And Pride Month provides space to honor the generations of LGBTQ+ people who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. During National Reunification Month, we are thrilled to be honoring the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), which reaffirms the autonomy of Tribal Nations in child welfare cases involving the placement and adoption of Native children. You can learn more about this important prevention win for families in this short video from our partner in prevention, the Children's Trust Fund Alliance. Resources on reunification are also available through our prevention partner, Child Welfare Information Gateway .

On June 19, we acknowledged Juneteenth. Also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is one of the most important anniversaries in our country’s history. Black communities are still feeling the impacts of our collective history as we continue to strive for a future that offers freedom, dignity, and equality to and for all. You can learn about Juneteenth in this video.

June is also a time to acknowledge all the graduates out there---from college and high school students to children who are making the big milestone transition from kindergarten to first grade. I will soon have the chance to meet some of these dedicated learners at the 65th biennial national conference of our long-time prevention partner, Kappa Delta, on June 30 - July 3, where I will be participating as a keynote speaker. I am excited to meet the exceptional women of Kappa Delta who are inspiring action in their communities.

Continue reading to discover the countless ways in which we are strengthening families and uniting around prevention this June—from the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12 to National PTSD Awareness Day on June 27. Also be sure to check out a special Father's Day message from our Chief Research Officer, Dr. Bart Klika, who is just one of the incredible dads we are lucky to have on PCA America's national team.

Warmest regards,

Dr. Melissa Merrick
President and CEO, Prevent Child Abuse America

June is a very busy month for families as school activities wind down and summer plans are being made. Perhaps you are or have a graduate in your family – congratulations! June is also Pride Month – At PCA America, we celebrate and honor the work of the trailblazers who have helped ensure that LGBTQ+ communities are safe, strong, and have equal rights and opportunities. We also recognize those who have fought and lost their lives or family members to acts of hate or violence against this community.

LGBTQ + individuals are four times as likely to encounter violence than their straight peers and a staggering 50% of transgender people have been sexually assaulted at some point in their lives. This is unacceptable and it is up to us to continue to do the work to make it better and easier, right from the start. I urge you to read PCA America's statement on gender-affirming care from our President & CEO, Dr. Melissa Merrick. Our website also features more information on Pride Month as well as resources and tools for creating spaces that are safe and supportive of all families.

Our goal is to provide hope and help to ALL families through our chapter network, Healthy Families America home visiting programming, research, policy, and awareness efforts. We know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we also believe there are enough of us who believe in fairness, equity, and the vision of a great future for all children, no matter their sexual orientation or identity.

Please continue to support our work and spread the word – PCA America, its partners, and supporters are committed to promoting a world where all children can thrive. Because together, we can prevent child abuse and neglect. Thank you for your ongoing support of our mission.

Prevention is Possible Through Policy

In 2021, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) was expanded and made available to more families through monthly payments. Nearly all families received the expanded monthly CTC – and nearly 66 million or 90% of children in the country – benefited from the program. However, the expanded CTC expired at the beginning of 2022.

Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT), Suzan DelBene (WA), and Ritchie Torres (NY) have introduced the American Family Act (AFA) to make permanent the expanded and improved monthly Child Tax Credit. Learn how you can support this legislation by contacting your U.S. Representatives to raise awareness of the impact the CTC has for families and encourage their support of the recently introduced American Family Act.

Understanding Childhood Trauma on National PTSD Awareness Day

National PTSD Awareness Day takes place on June 27, recognizing the effects post-traumatic stress has on the lives of those impacted by it. PTSD is the most common mental health disorder after depression in this country. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a key factor in causing trauma. You can read more about ACEs in this message from Dr. Melissa Merrick, President and CEO of PCA America, or watch this video.

The signs of traumatic stress are different in each child. Preschool children may fear abandonment, eat poorly or lose weight, cry a lot, or experience nightmares. Elementary school children are often anxious, feel guilt or shame, struggle with concentrating, and have difficulty sleeping. Depression, loneliness, eating disorders, self-harming behaviors, alcohol and drug use, and engaging in risky sexual behaviors are all challenges that youth in their teens might experience if they've been through trauma.

But healing is possible. Children can and do recover from traumatic events when they are surrounded by a supportive caregiving network and they have access to trauma-informed services and programs.

Here are tips kids can use if they have been through trauma and are experiencing PTSD symptoms:

Recognize what activates the alarm and how their body reacts
Decide whether there is real trouble and seek help from a trusted adult
Practice deep breathing and other relaxation methods

You can also download the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative's Understanding Child Trauma Toolkit to learn about this national public health problem.

Cherishing Children During National Children's Awareness Month

Positive environments make all the difference! During Children's Awareness Month, we're highlighting ways to uplift and nurture our children. Here are three tips:

Create open lines of communication, making sure children feel heard and understood.
Encourage self-expression through arts, sports, or hobbies.
Celebrate successes, both big and small, to build confidence and resilience.

When we come together to foster positivity, we're creating a brighter future for our children.