Albemarle marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month

People who work in Albemarle County to help keep children safe from predators and abusers spent some time Tuesday morning at the two municipal office buildings planting a plastic flower at the heart of National Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“The pinwheel is a national symbol for child abuse prevention because it serves as a physical reminder of the joyful childhood experience we want for all children,” reads an information release sent out at 9:14 a.m. that day.

Members of Albemarle’s Child Protective Services team gathered alongside members of the Police Department’s Special Victims and Victim/Witness units to plant the pinwheels on the front lawns to draw attention to their work and the need to do it.

“When children and families in need come to our attention, Albemarle County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services (CPS) and its child welfare colleagues partner with parents and caregivers, their natural supports, and relevant community partners to conduct a thorough assessment of each family’s strengths and needs,” the release continued.

Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley was on hand at one of the events and reported so to her colleagues at their meeting on Wednesday.

“We put out pinwheels at Fifth Street [County Office Building] Station just to make people aware that child abuse is a real thing and we need to make sure we are all vigilant,” LaPisto-Kirtley said.

Tuesday’s release comes with resources. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, phone the Albemarle County Department of Social Services at 434-972-4010, Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4:30 pm. After 4:30 pm or on weekends and holidays, call the statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline toll-free at 800-552-7096 (out-of-state) or 804-786-8536 (in Virginia).

For more information, visit Engage Albemarle.

Before you go: This story first went out in the April 1, 2025 edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement and an actuality from the April 2, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting was added before publication to this website on April 3.