Cabarrus Social Services recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month
Published on April 22, 2024
Cabarrus County’s Department of Social Services (DSS) is highlighting Child Abuse Awareness Month, encouraging the community to commit to being a voice for children in need.
Through awareness events, DSS aims to shed light on the critical role the public plays in protecting vulnerable children.
Earlier this month, social workers and other County employees gathered at the DSS Kannapolis location to plant pinwheels—which represent playfulness, joy and the circle of love that all families should strive for—and reaffirm the work they do.
“Our team is dedicated to providing safe, supportive environments for children,” says DSS Director Hollye McCallum. “Through awareness and other efforts, we can make strides in preventing abuse and ensuring the safety of every child.”
The month closes with a special downtown Concord event at 1 p.m. on April 30. That day DSS workers and others will join the Cabarrus District Attorney’s Office for a pinwheel ceremony in the Courthouse Plaza between Church and Union streets.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in seven children experienced abuse and neglect in the last year.
In 2023, the Cabarrus County Child Welfare Division (which includes Child Protective Intake, Investigations, In-Home Services, Permanency Planning, Adoptions and Licensing) worked with 4,989 children, up from 4,717 the prior year. During the same period, the department accepted 1,694 cases, a decrease from 1,721 cases in 2022.
Of the accepted cases, 1,235 were family assessments and 459 were investigative assessments.
In August of 2023, the State of North Carolina implemented the Regional Abuse and Medical Specialist (RAMS) program, where cases meeting strict criteria would result in continuous staffing by a RAMS consultant. The initiative focuses on:
- Children 3 years old and under who’ve suffered unexplained or poorly explained injuries
- Concerns for sexually transmitted infection on a child 3 years old and younger
- Concerns for children who may suffer from medical child abuse and/or have medically complex issues
- Children 3 years old and younger living in the home where another child has died as a result of suspected abuse or neglect
Since the launch, 18 Cabarrus cases have met the criteria for RAMS involvement.
Working abuse cases can simultaneously be rewarding and challenging, according to Program Administrator Justice Johnson.
“We often develop strong relationships with the children, families and caregivers we serve,” Johnson says. “These connections can provide support, guidance and encouragement. Our work can also be emotionally challenging due to the often traumatic situations children experience.
“I am very proud to know that I am supported by my coworkers and management and can utilize them as my safe space when I feel my tank is empty … our work is too important to be deterred by obstacles. Being a voice for children is more than just speaking on their behalf. It’s about advocating for their rights, their needs and their dreams. It’s about standing alongside them as they navigate the challenges of foster care, reunification or adoption.
“It’s about empowering them to reclaim their sense of self-worth.”
DSS initiatives are just one part of the equation. The department urges anyone concerned about a child's welfare to come forward. Reports can be made anonymously, and every report that meets the legal definition of abuse, neglect or dependency is thoroughly investigated.
If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, contact the department at 704-920-2277. After hours calls are routed to the Cabarrus County Sheriff’s Office.