Child Abuse Prevention Month Recognized with Pinwheel Planting
April 02, 2025
Blue pinwheels fluttered on the lawn of HSHS St. John’s Pavilion in Springfield on Tuesday, as Hospital Sisters Health System leaders, advocates, and state and city officials gathered for a press conference kicking off National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Chad Markham, HSHS Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and CEO of the Central Illinois Market, noted the dedication of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital staff in offering holistic care to the youngest of patients.
“Our doctors, nurses, therapists and medical professionals begin each day with a promise to give the best, most loving care to the children entrusted to us by their families,” Markham said. “This promise extends to keeping these kids safe from any type of harm, which is why we proudly support Child Abuse Prevention Month and the many programs our partnering organizations provide.”
Tarra Winters, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, reflected on this year’s theme of Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention.
“Hope – it’s a powerful word,” Winters said. “It’s a force that drives us to act, to speak out, and to stand up for those who need us most.”
Maria Miller, Chief Deputy Director, Child Protection and State Central Register, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, noted the agency has initiated new programming to safeguard children.
“We are asking better, more targeted questions when families are first brought to our attention to identify truly high-risk cases and better focus our investigations,” Miller said.
Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher said one of the saddest parts of her job is reading police reports of suspected abused and neglected children, noting that education is key in protecting the city’s youngest residents.
“If we can educate folks on how to deal with their anger management, I think that helps a lot of our children,” Buscher said, who issued a city proclamation recognizing the day.
Attendees were then invited to plant blue pinwheels on the Pavilion lawn in the outline of a blue ribbon.
The month of April was first observed as Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 by a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan, and has continued ever since.
Chad Markham, HSHS Chief Operating Officer and Interim President and CEO of the Central Illinois Market, noted the dedication of HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital staff in offering holistic care to the youngest of patients.
“Our doctors, nurses, therapists and medical professionals begin each day with a promise to give the best, most loving care to the children entrusted to us by their families,” Markham said. “This promise extends to keeping these kids safe from any type of harm, which is why we proudly support Child Abuse Prevention Month and the many programs our partnering organizations provide.”
Tarra Winters, Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, reflected on this year’s theme of Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention.
“Hope – it’s a powerful word,” Winters said. “It’s a force that drives us to act, to speak out, and to stand up for those who need us most.”
Maria Miller, Chief Deputy Director, Child Protection and State Central Register, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, noted the agency has initiated new programming to safeguard children.
“We are asking better, more targeted questions when families are first brought to our attention to identify truly high-risk cases and better focus our investigations,” Miller said.
Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher said one of the saddest parts of her job is reading police reports of suspected abused and neglected children, noting that education is key in protecting the city’s youngest residents.
“If we can educate folks on how to deal with their anger management, I think that helps a lot of our children,” Buscher said, who issued a city proclamation recognizing the day.
Attendees were then invited to plant blue pinwheels on the Pavilion lawn in the outline of a blue ribbon.
The month of April was first observed as Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983 by a proclamation issued by President Ronald Reagan, and has continued ever since.
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