The Power of Pinwheels: Cook Children’s Raises Awareness about Child Abuse Prevention
This month, you’ll find a display of blue pinwheels at Cook Children’s Medical Centers in Fort Worth and Prosper. They represent an awareness and prevention campaign that Cook Children’s highlights each April during Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Each of the 1,540 pinwheels in Fort Worth represents a visit to the Cook Children's Child Advocacy Resources and Evaluation (CARE) Team where a child was evaluated for concerns of abuse or neglect in 2024. A referral to the CARE team for suspected child abuse does not automatically mean that abuse is confirmed. For example, about half of the children referred to the CARE team for physical abuse are substantiated.
The 1,148 wheels in Prosper represent the number of child abuse cases in Denton County in 2024.
The purpose of the pinwheels is to show the scale and impact that child abuse and neglect has on our community, while also exemplifying the resources available to victims.
“It is tragically beautiful,” said CARE Team Nurse Manager Stacey Henley.
Henley says the CARE Team uses the time spent planting the pinwheels on each campus “to reflect and pray for each child who they have seen over the past year, which can be very therapeutic for the staff.”
The pinwheels are only one part of Cook Children’s efforts to raise awareness, prevent and care for those affected by child abuse and neglect. Across North Texas, Cook Children’s is part of a vast support network for families to not only help children when abuse happens, but also to step in beforehand and prevent it.
Across eight counties, Cook Children’s Center for Community Health (C4CH) partners with community groups to determine on a grass-roots level what different areas need to prevent child abuse and neglect.
“During the month of April, we observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month to emphasize the importance of communities and organizations working together to support families and prevent child maltreatment,” said Frances Wampler, program coordinator with C4CH.
“Together, we can make a difference,” Wampler said. “By supporting families, recognizing signs of abuse, and reporting concerns, we help ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive.”
Go to saynotoabuse.org for additional prevention and support resources.
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