April 11, 2022
CONTACT:
Jill Jesso-White
jjwhite@chcrr.org
(802) 855-5393
Community Health's Pinwheel Gardens Grow
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
Rutland -- Pinwheel gardens have sprouted up at Community Health’s practices in Rutland and Addison counties in support of Prevent Child Abuse Vermont’s 2022 Child Abuse Prevention Month and their theme “growing a better tomorrow for our children.”
“At Community Health, our focus on children, their health, safety and development is steadfast and constantly evolving,” said Jill Jesso-White, Community Health director of communications and development. “You’ll see pinwheels at all our practices because we want families to know that we are here to support them to foster healthy child and youth development."
Community Health offers behavioral health services at all their practices, including pediatric behavioral health specialists who can address specific needs of children and their families. And, Community Health Pediatrics and Community Kids Dental provide preventive dental and medical care just for children.
Governor Phil Scott declared April Child Abuse Prevention Month in a proclamation that read “Children, Vermont’s most precious resource, must be guaranteed their health, well-being and protection.” According to data from the state’s Department for Children and Families, in 2021 of the substantiated child abuse cases, 228 were related to sexual abuse and 302 to physical abuse.
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont has created resources and a calendar of activities to encourage awareness and community activities including instructions on how to create your own pinwheel. Pinwheels for Prevention has been a national symbol for child abuse prevention for over 14 years.
For more information about preventing child abuse, check these websites
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont (https://www.pcavt.org/)
Centers for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/childabuseandneglect/index.html
Community Health is Vermont’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), a network of primary care, pediatric, behavioral health, dental and pharmacy services with offices in Rutland, Brandon, Castleton, West Pawlet and Shoreham. Community Dental offices are located in Rutland and Shoreham; Community Kids Dental is in Rutland; Community Health Pediatrics is in Rutland and Behavioral Health services are available at all of our locations. Community Health Express Care Centers, open 7 days a week, are located at the Rutland and Castleton Community Health Centers. For career opportunities at Community Health’s network of health care services, check our Career Center.
The mission of Community Health (Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region) is to be the foremost integrated community health center providing quality and collaborative care that is accessible to all people, in order to live their best lives and build stronger communities.