RENO, Nev. – In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Reno-based National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA), Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, Washoe County District Attorney’s Office, Northern Nevada Legal Aid, and the Reno Aces will plant a symbolic blue pinwheel garden at Greater Nevada Field on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 11 a.m. This event underscores northern Nevada’s commitment to supporting children affected by abuse and neglect.
Established in 1983, National Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a time for communities nationwide to acknowledge the dedication of child welfare professionals and advocates who work tirelessly to promote the well-being of children and families.
Since 2008, the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign, introduced by Prevent Child Abuse America, has used the pinwheel as a national symbol of child abuse prevention. Representing the joy and innocence of childhood, the pinwheel serves as a reminder of the safe and nurturing environments every child deserves.
“Judges play a critical role leading the improvement of the child welfare system,” said Joey Orduña Hastings, CEO of the NCJFCJ. “For years, the NCJFCJ has collaborated with courts both nationally and in Nevada to enhance outcomes for children and families affected by abuse and neglect. Child abuse transcends age, race, and socioeconomic status, and the judiciary is a key force in driving systemic improvements. We invite the community to support our pinwheel initiative to raise awareness for healthier families and stronger communities.”
According to the 2023 Child Maltreatment Report from the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Administration for Children & Families, there were 546,159 victims of child abuse and neglect nationally in fiscal year 2023.
The NCJFCJ actively works to improve judicial oversight in child welfare cases through multiple initiatives. Established in 1996, the one-of-a-kind Child Abuse and Neglect Institute provides specialized training for judicial officers in dependency court best practices. This comprehensive, week-long program brings together national and local experts to cover essential topics such as child development, substance abuse, hearing procedures, and court improvement strategies.
The NCJFCJ remains committed to strengthening the child welfare system and invites the community to participate in raising awareness throughout April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
More than 4 million families are impacted by the work of the NCJFCJ every year. To learn more about the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, visit ncjfcj.org.
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About the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ):
Founded in 1937, the Reno, Nevada-based National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges is the nation’s oldest judicial membership and education organization focused on improving the effectiveness of our nation’s juvenile and family courts. A leader in continuing education opportunities, research, and policy development in the fields of juvenile and family justice, domestic violence, and domestic relations, the 2,000-member organization is unique in providing practice-based resources to jurisdictions and communities nationwide. The NCJFCJ serves an estimated 30,000 juvenile and family court professionals in state and tribal courts throughout the country, who impact more than 4 million families.
