CAARE Center participates in Child Abuse Prevention Month

The CAARE Center specializes in the treatment of child abuse and trauma. In April, the team celebrated Child Abuse Prevention Month by displaying pinwheels, providing information about protective factors and volunteering time at an event.

The blue and silver pinwheels are the symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month. They are meant to represent happy, healthy childhoods. Participating organizations display the pinwheels in a highly visible place throughout April.

Staff volunteered their time to participate in the 35th Annual Kids Day in the Park. This year’s theme was “champions” and the CAARE Center gave away capes for kids to color. At the event, CAARE staff connected with families to provide each with the mental health services provided by UC Davis Health.

 “Having a strong community presence is integral to gaining trust and increasing accessibility of mental health services for children and families,” said Michele Ornelas Knight, director of CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center and UC Davis Health Trauma Recovery Center.

Kids Day in the Park is one of several events the CAARE Center team participates in, with the aim of increasing accessibility.

“At a time when families are experiencing increased stress related to housing instability, and food insecurity, and mental health issues in children are rising, it is important for families to know how to access supports and resources,” Ornelas Knight said. “We want the community to know the UC Davis CAARE Center has programs and services to help.”