CARMEL NY – April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. This month and throughout the year, The Child Advocacy Center (CAC) of Putnam County encourages all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Putnam County a safer place for children and families. The CAC shares resources to help prevent abuse, strives for victim safety, and provides community connection through advocacy and service aimed at promoting healthy relationships and parenting for those impacted by abuse.

The CAC of Putnam County and the Friends of Putnam Child Advocacy Center will promote child abuse awareness throughout the month, with various activities including the annual Champions for Children Breakfast. This event will take place at the Putnam County Golf Course located at 187 Hill Street in Mahopac on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 8:00 am. This year’s breakfast will feature survivor and former federal prosecutor, Kevin Mulcahy.

The 2025 Champion for Children award is being presented to Putnam/Northern Westchester BOCES Director of Regional Safety Services Frank Guglieri. A dedicated leader in school safety, co-facilitator of the Regional Crisis Team, and on-site emergency responder, Frank’s passion for school safety continues to drive his commitment to protecting children.

Admission is $30. Tickets and additional information are available at (friendsofputnamcac.org).

Putnam County Wear Blue Day in support of preventing child abuse will be held on Wednesday, April 9th.  Also, on that day the Putnam County Courthouse will be lit blue.

According to Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne, “Every child deserves the chance to be raised in a healthy and safe environment. We want everyone in our community to be part of the support system for our children and this starts with awareness.”

The Child Advocacy Center’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign will run throughout the month of April. The CAC will continue its tradition of planting a large community pinwheel garden on Monday, March 31st at 12:00pm in front of the Sybil Ludington Statue at Lake Gleneida on Route 6 in Carmel, across from St. James Church. Volunteers are encouraged to join in planting the garden. “Everyone is welcome to join us as we plant these pinwheels to show that we support children,” said CAC Program Director Marla Behler. “Educating our community and raising awareness can help us to protect any children who are at risk.” Putnam schools will join the campaign as well; look for pinwheel gardens on their campuses.

“The Child Advocacy Center is a program of the Putnam County Department of Social Services. The CAC has long advocated that education is imperative to preventing child abuse and continues to partner with Child Protective Services, Child Welfare Services, and local agencies to implement innovative programs to ensure the physical, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing of the children of Putnam County,” said Commissioner of Mental Health, Social Services & Youth Bureau Sara Servadio. “Awareness and education programs promote the importance of early and comprehensive prevention of abuse.”

For more information on child abuse prevention programs call the CAC of Putnam County at (845) 808-1400.