Blue pinwheels — the symbol for child abuse prevention — are placed on the grounds during Child Abuse Prevention Month at the Children's Advocacy Center of Butler County in Center Township on Thursday, April 21, 2022. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 4/21/22

Planted in several front yards throughout Butler County are lawn signs for National Child Abuse Prevention Month surrounded by blue pinwheels, which are the national symbol of child abuse prevention.

Danielle Schmidt, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) of Butler County, said widespread knowledge of resources available to identify child abuse and neglect is crucial in its prevention.

“We want people to be aware and to know what they can do, who they can contact if they suspect abuse and neglect,” Schmidt said. “It's not necessarily about the different forms of abuse out there; it's more about providing support and awareness of (available) resources.”

According to Schmidt, who became executive director of CAC in January, the organization is just one of several in the community involved in preventing child abuse and neglect in Butler County.

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