Honoring Child Abuse Prevention Month: It Takes A Village

Tags: collaboration, Collaborations, collective impact, Community, nonprofit, partnerships, Youth Development

Every child deserves to feel safe, loved, and supported as they grow. Yet for too many families, the stressors of daily life, combined with economic insecurity, mental health struggles, and isolation, can create conditions that put children at risk. April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Prevention Month, offering a significant opportunity for our community to reflect, take action, and recommit to the collective work of ensuring that every child in North Tahoe-Truckee has the chance to thrive.

The Impacts of Child Abuse and Childhood Domestic Violence

Child abuse and childhood domestic violence, when children witness violence in the home, have long-term negative impacts on children, families, and communities. According to research presented by the Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody*, approximately 30-50% of families in which either child maltreatment or adult domestic violence is occurring also experience the other form of violence.

According to the Childhood Domestic Violence Association**, children who experience childhood domestic violence are:

• 7.4x more likely to attempt suicide,
• 50% more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and
• More likely to experience domestic violence in adulthood

Finally, the impact is felt across communities. According to the Safe & Sound Economics of Abuse Report***, the long-term economic impact of child abuse and neglect in California reached an estimated $16.5 billion in 2023 alone. This staggering figure shows the lifetime costs associated with supporting survivors, including healthcare, education, child welfare, criminal justice involvement, and lost productivity. This data underscores the urgent need for proactive prevention through community investment in child and family well-being.

Partnering for Prevention: Collaboration in Action

The Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee (CCTT), a program of TTCF, originated as the Child Abuse Prevention Council about 30 years ago. In 2001, the program evolved into CCTT to broaden its scope and serve the larger community. Since then, CCTT has collaborated closely with the Tahoe Truckee Child Abuse Prevention Council to be a united voice. Together we effectively advocate for filling in gaps in the Tahoe Truckee regional service system, as well as making changes in essential policies that affect our community.

Annually, CCTT and CAPC partner for our monthly partner Resource Sharing meeting. Family strengthening efforts are the primary focus, with a focus on preventative strategies and improving the utilization of Child Welfare Service interventions. This meeting is data-driven so we can understand where there are gaps in the systems, as well as how to improve service integration. 

As a result of feedback from last year’s meeting, CAPC strengthened its commitment to:

• Supporting families with special needs
• Funding a parent support group
• Creating a special needs dance class
• Advocating for greater community awareness, including sensory-free hours at grocery stores and play centers

Through this collaboration, TTCF funded an adaptive swing at the TDPRD. Most importantly, partners were successful in advocating for a Nevada County Child Welfare Services Social Worker specific to Truckee. This is another one of CCTT’s tenants – improving and fostering communication, coordination, and collaboration of regional services across functional, jurisdictional, and geographic boundaries.

Leading With Heart: A Voice For The Vulnerable

“Creating a safe, nurturing and caring environment for children in our community takes a Village,” said Beatriz Schaffert, Program Coordinator. “It’s a continued practice of collaboration, support, innovation, and seeking new opportunities to create Community Pathways where all children feel supported and safe from abuse and neglect. We are not giving up on our kiddos. Be the One—join our efforts.”

Beatriz Schaffert plays a significant role in preventing child abuse in the Tahoe-Truckee area. She serves as the Program Coordinator for the Tahoe Truckee Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC), also known as Communities 4 Kids. In this capacity, she leads initiatives that create a safe and nurturing environment for children in the community. Schaffert’s dedication to cultural competency, equality, and social justice was honored when she received CCTT’s Chris Ballin Award in 2022 honoring dedication to cultural advocacy and social equity. 

Community Solidarity Raises Awareness in Myriad Ways

Throughout April, local and regional partners are highlighting child abuse prevention in visible and engaging ways. From pinwheel gardens planted as symbols of hope and childhood, to Wear Blue Day awareness campaigns, Placer and Nevada counties are coming together to show solidarity in protecting our youth. These moments of visibility matter, reminding us that even small acts of awareness and outreach can have a ripple effect and create lasting change.

Strong families build strong communities. What matters most is that families know they are not alone. That’s the power of community, and that’s what we strive to nurture through our partnerships and grantmaking.

Be the One: Take Action For Every Child

Child Abuse Prevention Month is more than a calendar observance, it’s a call to action. Everyone has a role to play in creating a culture where every child is safe and supported. That’s why the “Be the One” campaign encourages each of us to take personal responsibility—whether by noticing the signs, offering support, or speaking up—to help prevent child abuse and neglect in our own communities.

Together, we can continue to build a North Tahoe-Truckee where families feel uplifted, and all children have the opportunity to grow up with confidence, stability, and love.

About the Community Collaborative of Tahoe Truckee (CCTT):

CCTT, a program of Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF), is comprised of more than 45 health, education, and social service organizations and coalitions. These partners have worked together for more than 25 years to address the complex issues and fundamental needs of community members. The Collaborative seeks to understand the stories of our local people, and root their work in the power of data to inform leaders and drive results.

Become a monthly donor to Strengthening Families: Community Collaborative of Tahoe-Truckee, By facilitating region-wide collaboration and leveraging resources, CCTT works to strengthen our local families and individuals and uplifts our entire community.

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Footnotes:

*”Co-Occurrence of Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Exposure,” Resource Center of Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody, http://www.rcdvcpc.org/co-occurrence-of-child-abuse-and-domestic-violence-exposure.html

**”Growing up in a home living with domestic violence can have a profound and lifelong impact,” Dr. Renee McDonald, Childhood Domestic Violence Association, https://cdv.org/understand-cdv/the-impact/?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADe4Iyh8v0qZkgUVASJI0GgEETXMV&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtpLABhC7ARIsALBOCVq5Siwgay0w_z9e8XpO9UVzWIeqFHBGaXLVcYtiRGN_cziHC4K1HZsaAjfAEALw_wcB

***”The Economics of Abuse: California and It’s Counties,” Safe & Sound Economics of Abuse Report, https://safeandsound.org/about-abuse/the-economics-of-abuse/california-impacts/