April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. An annual observance in the United States since 1983, National Child Abuse Prevention Month focuses on raising awareness and preventing child abuse. In 2022, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) underscores the critical importance of this observance day. After the intense stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic, child abuse is on the rise. Moreover, given the pandemic’s isolation, more child abuse cases are most likely going unreported.

As a youth and family services provider, TTC experiences too many damaged and traumatized children and young people firsthand. As part of our initial assessment process, TTC conducts ACEs Aware screenings. Instituted by the California Surgeon General, the ACEs Aware Initiative is the first focused effort in the nation to screen patients for Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The goal is to help improve and even save lives. By revealing the underlying trauma behind substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health (MH) conditions, a clinical team is better able to develop a tailored treatment plan.

White House on National Child Abuse Prevention Month

Understanding the importance of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the White House released a proclamation from President Joseph Biden. The statement is entitled “A Proclamation on National Child Abuse Prevention Month, 2022”. Hence, the proclamation emphasizes the importance of this observation at a time when too many children are at risk. President Biden states:

“I was raised to believe that one of the greatest sins is the abuse of power, and there is no greater abuse of power than the abuse of a child. National Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to take bold action to better support parents and caregivers with access to resources to cope during challenging times. It is also a time to identify and take the necessary steps to address inequities experienced by those who have been historically underserved and adversely affected by continuous poverty and inequality.”

TTC supports efforts to help children that are adversely affected by child abuse. Focused on helping underserved populations, the mission of TTC is the same as when we first started fifty years ago. We do our best to ensure that the Youth and Family Services Program at TTC is accessible to children and young people in need.

Tarzana Treatment Centers Helps Children in Need

From SUD residential treatment to MH outpatient services, the TTC Youth and Family Services Program targets at-risk youth. Thus, the observance every April provides an opportunity to raise awareness. Hence, TTC takes this opportunity seriously as a nonprofit healthcare organization.

Through outreach and education efforts, people learn about the signs of child abuse and how to prevent it. Moreover, they realize that child abuse almost always leads to lasting trauma. Indeed, such traumatic experiences require resolution and treatment by professional clinicians in most cases. If you want to learn more about how TTC can help, do not hesitate to contact us.