March 31, 2026 -- At noon today, the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s Office, the Lackawanna County Office of Youth & Family Services and the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA will gather at Courthouse Square, 200 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, to mark the start of Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month with a powerful visual display representing children impacted in our community.

A total of 655 pinwheels will be installed, each representing a child who received services through CAC of NEPA in 2025 -- an increase of more than 100 children from the previous year, underscoring the growing need for coordinated response and prevention efforts across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Pinwheels, a nationally recognized symbol of child abuse prevention, are intentionally childlike -- bright, simple and full of movement. They represent the safe, carefree childhood every child deserves. The display will serve as both a reflection of the children who have experienced abuse and a reminder of the future they still deserve.

The event will bring together key members of Lackawanna County’s multidisciplinary team, including law enforcement, child welfare professionals, prosecutors and community partners. These professionals work together through a coordinated, trauma-informed approach to reduce trauma, strengthen investigations, and ensure children and families have access to critical services.

Through the Children’s Advocacy Center model, children are supported by a team rather than navigating complex systems alone. This approach minimizes repeated interviews, improves case outcomes, and provides access to forensic interviews, medical care, victim advocacy, and trauma-focused mental health services.

In response to growing need across the region, CAC of NEPA continues to expand access to services, working to meet children and families where they are and strengthen coordinated response efforts across multiple counties.