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April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Every April we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to not only raise awareness about child abuse and neglect in Alaska, but also to support the primary prevention of it. By giving children, youth, families, and communities the knowledge, skills, supports, and resources they need, we can create a thriving Alaska where every child grows up safe and healthy. Because when parents and caregivers have what they need before problems arise, children and youth can thrive.

Join us throughout April and beyond as we start a movement towards lasting change - where Alaska’s children, youth, and families can thrive.

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

At ACT, we know that when Alaskans come together for a cause, they can do big things and make an impact in incredible ways.

We believe that by fostering positive childhood experiences and focusing creating systems of support, we can build a bright future for every child and youth in Alaska. In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, we are giving Alaskans the tools to build a hopeful future together.

Will you join us in spreading the word on child abuse prevention?

Celebrating Go Blue Day
Friday, April 10, 2026 is the big, blue day!

Spread the word on Child Abuse Prevention Month by joining us for Go Blue Day on Friday, April 10. Wear blue, paint your nails blue, use food coloring to make your food blue, make a sign, and get creative with your Blue ideas! Then, let the world know. Post on social media and tag #gobluedayAK on Facebook or Instagram to be featured on the Alaska Children’s Trust page.

Check out the Go Blue kids activity kit!

A treasured favorite for families, the Go Blue Activity Kit is chock-full of activities for blue creativity. Create positive childhood experiences with your family members by using some of our fun activities!

check out the Go blue activity booklet

More Ways to Go Blue!

01
BLUE FOOD

Pick up food coloring and simply add it to your next meal! Blue pancakes, milk, or ice cream to celebrate the big day!

OR Make it extra-Alaskan by using frozen blueberries or blueberry jam to make pancakes and ice cream deliciously blue!

02
WEAR BLUE

Get decked out in all your blue- whether it’s a simple statement of a dashing blue tie or something snazzy like a blue feather boa, bring attention to it and let folks know why you go blue for Alaska’s kids!

03
CELEBRATE A CHILD

Ask a child in your life what they’d like to do with you for a half hour (or more!). Whatever it is- do it! Spending quality time with a child doing what they love makes them feel special and seen.

04
MAKE A PINWHEEL

Pinwheels represent child abuse prevention. Use our template to design your own or paint one on your window!

Sponsor or Donate

And help us ensure every Alaskan has the tools to prevent child abuse and neglect.

see our sponsorship options
become a sponsor

Trainings & Events

Throughout April, many organizations across Alaska offer free trainings and events—both virtual and in-person—focused on child safety, positive parenting, and building resilience. Whether you're a caregiver, educator, or community member, there’s something for everyone to learn and engage in.

ACT has developed an Event Calendar accessible here to add and find trainings. This is a new tool for us, and we hope to have folks add their trainings to it! Let us know if it’s working for you or any feedback or thoughts by emailing Aakriti at akc@alaskachildrenstrust.org

Materials

Toolkit for Faith- Based Communities

ACT has created a toolkit to involve faith-based communities in supporting Alaska’s children and families in child abuse and neglect prevention. But we need YOUR help to get feedback on it! Please review the PDF here and email any feedback you have to Aakriti KC, Alaska Fellow at ACT, here.

Give us feedback

Past Trainings

Each April, take time to learn what you can do to help build a hopeful future for every Alaskan child! A great way to help protect children is to take a training that gives you the tools to recognize signs, show that you are a trusted adult a child can connect with, learn about keeping kids safe online, and so much more.

Explore our past trainings recommendations below, and be sure to check out current events in our event calendar.

H.O.P.E. - Healthy Outcomes from Positive Childhood Experiences

Racism, Sexism, and Prejudice: Talking to your kids

Howling with Huskies and Other Ways to Feel Good: a reading with author Dr. Linda Chamberlain

Preventing Child Sexual Abuse

Partnering for Child Abuse Prevention Month

At ACT, we know that to reach every Alaskan, our relationship with partners across the state is our biggest asset. That’s why this April, we want to give you the tools you need to help spread the word on Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Can’t find a tool you’re looking for? Contact us here to let us know!

Child Abuse Prevention Month Free Materials

Child Abuse Prevention Month material orders are now open while supplies last or March 1. Please be sure to take photos with the materials we provide and send them to kidsfirst@alaskachildrenstrust.org

Organizations who attend ACT’s Partner Kickoff for Child Abuse Prevention Month on Tuesday, February 17 from 1 - 2p.m. will have slight preference for receiving materials. You can register for that meeting here.

Thank you for working with Alaska Children's Trust to ensure children, youth, and families have the knowledge, skills, supports, and resources to thrive.

Child Abuse Prevention Month Activity Grant - OPEN NOW THROUGH MARCH 9

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about the impacts and signs of child abuse and neglect and support communities in ways that prevent child abuse and neglect from occurring. In April, we recognize the families and communities working to prevent child abuse and neglect and promote the social and emotional well-being of children, youth, and families. Alaska Children’s Trust (ACT) offers mini grants to support child abuse prevention education and activities statewide. Organizations may choose to implement one of the options described below. 
 
If you have questions regarding these grants, please contact Aakriti KC at akc@alaskachildrenstrust.org.  

Who can apply? 
Applications are accepted from qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, or equivalent organizations located in the state of Alaska. Equivalent organizations may include tribes, local or state governments, schools, or regional educational attendance areas. 
 
Who cannot apply? 
Individuals, for-profit, 501(c)(4) or (c)(6) organizations, non-Alaska based organizations, and federal government agencies are not eligible for competitive grants. Applicants with outstanding and past due grant requirements are ineligible for funding. 
 
Due Date 
Due by March 9, 2026 
 
Grant Amount 
Applicants can apply for one grant of $300. Funds can be used for venue/equipment rental, food, outreach materials, staff time, compensation for other support individuals, or other supplies needed for the activity. 
 
Reporting 
No final report required. After your event, please email grants@alaskachildrenstrust.org with photos, statistics of the people who participated, and highlights of your event. We also encourage organizations to post pictures of the activity on social media and tag our social media accounts and/or use any one of the following hashtags: #gobluedayAK #pinwheelsofpossibility

For questions related to the on-line application system, please contact:  grants@alaskachildrenstrust.org 

  • Organizations may host a Go Blue Day event as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

    Go Blue Day is a visible, community-wide show of support for child abuse prevention that highlights the importance of connection and resilience as protective factors for children and families. 

    Organizations are encouraged to design activities that reflect the needs, culture, and strengths of their community. Activities may include wearing blue, decorating spaces, hosting family-friendly gatherings, or offering creative, blue-themed activities that engage children, caregivers, and community members. ACT also offers a Go Blue Day activity booklet with optional ideas and activities to support event planning. This year, Go Blue Day is Friday, April 10th (not the first Friday of the month due to Easter). However, organizations can host a Go Blue Day event anytime during the month of April. 

  • Organizations may host a Pinwheels of Possibility event in recognition of this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month theme. 

    Pinwheels of Possibility highlights the many ways children and families are supported within their communities and emphasizes the importance of caring relationships and community connection as key protective factors. 

    Organizations may host pinwheel-decorating events that invite participants to reflect on trusted adults, meaningful connections, cultural strengths, and activities that support well-being and belonging. 

    Organizations can: 

    • Use printable pinwheel templates with prompts available on the ACT website, or 

    • Create and print their own pinwheels featuring locally relevant protective factors or prompts 

    Completed pinwheels may be displayed within the organization or shared in the community. 

    ACT will also host a statewide Pinwheels of Possibility art contest. By submitting artwork, organizations and participants grant ACT permission to share submitted photos for promotional and educational purposes. 

    Eligibility:  

    • The contest is open to children and youths 18 years old and under. 

    Artwork Guidelines:  

    • Participants may decorate pinwheels using: 

    • Printable pinwheel template available on the ACT website, or at this link  

    • Custom pinwheels created by the organization featuring locally relevant protective factors or prompts. 

    • Artwork should reflect themes of: 

    • Trusted adults 

    • Meaningful relationships 

    • Cultural strengths 

    • Community connection 

    • Activities that promote well-being and belonging 

    Submission Process: 

    • Organizations may submit entries by: 

    • Posting photos of each completed pinwheel on social media and tagging ACT, or 

    • Email photos of completed pinwheels directly to ACT. 

    • Social media platforms accepted: Facebook and Instagram. 

    • Instagram: alaskachildrenstrust 

    • Facebook: Alaska Children’s Trust 

    • Multiple entries may be submitted; each pinwheel counts as a separate entry. 

    Judging and Selection: 

    • Online engagement, including likes and comments, will be considered as part of the selection process. 

    • ACT will select two statewide winners based on creativity, connection to the theme, and engagement. 

    Contest Timeline: 

    • Contest ends: May 4 

    • Winners announced: May 11 

    Two statewide winners will each receive one laptop 

  • Mini grants are also available for organizations that wish to host another prevention-focused event or activity, or to support awareness and outreach efforts that strengthen community protective factors and promote child abuse prevention. 

    Activities may include, but are not limited to: 

    • Movie screenings with facilitated discussion 

    • Book clubs or community reading events 

    • Community awareness efforts such as social media campaigns, radio ads, or other outreach to promote prevention and support families

access the Grant Portal

COMMUNICATION TOOLS FOR SPREADING THE WORD ON PREVENTION

Social Media Toolkit for April 2026

Each year, ACT releases a toolkit of materials (including sample communication pieces, suggestions for outreach, and advocacy opportunities). Whether you use the tools in their entirety, in part, or simply for inspiration, we at Alaska Children’s Trust are here to help.

Our 2026 Toolkit is coming soon! Stay tuned to our newsletter or join us at the Child Abuse Prevention Month kickoff meeting on February 17 at 1 p.m. to access this tool.

Watch our Go Blue Day Videos

Get excited for Go Blue Day (the first Friday of April each year) by watching our Go Blue Day videos!