‘Going Blue’ for children during April

Editor’s note: Since the Friday morning ceremony, one of the speakers was killed Saturday morning in Reno. A driver crashed into Kurt Englehart’s car, killing the aide to Sen. Cortez-Masto. The Lahontan Valley News offers its condolences to the family and colleagues of Kurt Englehart.

Representatives from various organizations assembled Friday for a ceremony at Millennium Park to declare April 2024 as “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.”

Churchill County Commissioner Chair Myles Getto spoke first and also introduced the other speakers as snow flurries swirled.

“We have turned the city blue and gathered here today to build awareness of child abuse for the month of April,” he said, a reference to the blue and silver pinwheels that have been “planted” throughout the city.

The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign raises awareness for the issue through prominent pinwheel displays as uplifting reminders of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve. Community supporters are also encouraged to “Go Blue” by wearing blue every Friday in April.

Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford read the proclamation that he and Getto had signed on behalf of the city and Churchill County and in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Nevada, “with a belief in prevention to ensure children live in safe, stable and nurturing environments.”

Marla McDade-Williams, administrator of the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services, reminded the community child abuse can occur in any household without regard to race, ethnicity, education levels or income. She emphasized the importance of offering supportive services for parents and families facing challenges and trauma as communities continue to rebuild from the pandemic.

Churchill County School District Assistant Superintendent Stacey Cooper said Nevada had one of the highest rates of child abuse referrals in the nation last year. Cooper highlighted the importance of education and encouraged the community to teach children about their rights, empowering them to speak up through platforms such as Safe Voice and the suicide hotline.

Justice of the Peace Ben Trotter said child abuse cases are simultaneously some of the most important cases and the toughest cases to investigate and can often take an emotional toll on the officers. Trotter also said that statistically it was likely that those within the crowd know a child who is currently facing abuse and need to learn to recognize the signs.

Sheriff Richard Hickox also mentioned the statistics, saying that it can be hard to hear and comprehend the staggering numbers.

“We must be vigilant. We must be brave. We must be willing to speak up. We must be willing to see and to listen and willing to protect,” Hickox said.

Kurt Englehart, rural outreach director for U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, said it was important to him to see the supporters in attendance because of his own experiences with child abuse early in life. Englehart said that he had sought out to work for the senator because of her work in creating legislation for human trafficking, domestic violence and child abuse prevention issues.

Brittany Burton, an office specialist with Social Services, said parent tips and the schedule of family activities for the month can be found on the Churchill County Social Services Facebook page. The list includes a geocaching event and a free family carnival April 25 at the William N. Pennington Life Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Vouchers good for $10 off at the Fallon Theater concession stand will be given away at the carnival to use during a free sponsored showing of Disney’s “Encanto” April 26 at 6 p.m.