Jonesboro, AR – Contributed – The Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center (NEA CAC) is recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month and calling on the community to play an active role in protecting children and supporting families across Northeast Arkansas.
Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month highlights the importance of strong families, supportive communities, and early intervention in preventing child abuse and neglect. Throughout April, NEA CAC will lead awareness efforts, educational outreach, and community engagement initiatives to keep children safe.
“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment,” said Shawnie Carrier, executive director of NEA CAC. “This month is an opportunity for our community to come together, learn the signs of abuse, and take meaningful steps to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
The NEA CAC works collaboratively with law enforcement, child protective services, medical professionals, and mental health providers to offer a coordinated response to allegations of child abuse. By providing a child-friendly environment for forensic interviews, advocacy, and support services, the center helps reduce trauma for children and their families.
Serving seven counties—Craighead, Greene, Randolph, Poinsett, Lawrence, Clay, and Mississippi. The NEA CAC plays a vital role in ensuring children across the region have access to critical services and support.
In 2025 alone, NEA CAC served 457 children across the region, conducted 65 forensic medical exams, and provided 875 mental health sessions to support children on their path to healing. These numbers reflect both the ongoing need in the community and the critical role of coordinated, child-focused services.
In recognition of the month, NEA CAC encourages community members to wear blue to show support for child abuse prevention efforts, display pinwheels, the national symbol of child abuse prevention, participate in local awareness events and trainings, learn the signs of abuse and how to report concerns, and visit www.neacac.net to purchase pinwheels or awareness t-shirts, with proceeds directly supporting services for children and families across the seven-county region.
“Preventing child abuse is everyone’s responsibility,” added Shawnie Carrier. “By working together, we can create a safer, healthier future for children in our region.”
For more information about NEA CAC, upcoming events, or how to get involved—including purchasing awareness items, please visit www.neacac.net or follow NEA CAC on social media.
About Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center
The Northeast Arkansas Children’s Advocacy Center is a nonprofit organization that serves child victims of abuse and their families by providing a haven for interviewing and examining the child. NEA CAC is a safe place for kids who may have been physically, emotionally, or sexually abused to tell their story. By bringing together all the professionals under one roof, we avoid re-traumatizing children who are already suffering from pain, fear, or confusion.