(OPINION) Pinwheels of Possibility: Why child safety begins long before a crisis | #childsafety | #kids | #chldern | #parents | #schoolsafey

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You may have noticed blue pinwheels around town: in front of government buildings, schools, and in windows. This small blue pinwheel is the symbol for Child Abuse Prevention Month each April. It’s also a symbol of possibility, a reminder that when we work together to support families early, we can create communities where children are safe, families are strong, and prevention becomes the norm rather than the response.

At the Wyoming Department of Family Services, this belief is reflected in our commitment to WY Home Matters — a vision grounded in the understanding that children do best when they can safely remain with their families and maintain connections to their communities. Last year, DFS helped nearly 500 children who experienced abuse and neglect. During that same time, DFS worked alongside more than 3,000 Wyoming families to provide vital services and supports that helped children remain safely at home.

Strong, resilient families are built in everyday moments, when parents have the support they need, when communities rally around one another, and when families can access resources before challenges become emergencies. By investing in the small, quiet moments of a family’s life, we create a foundation of support that ensures every child and parent has the tools they need to thrive long before challenges arise.

Research consistently shows that certain conditions help families remain strong even during difficult times. These are often referred to as protective factors — the everyday strengths and supports that help families care for their children and navigate life’s challenges. Parents who have the ability to manage stress and adapt to adversity are better able to provide stability for their children. Families who feel connected to relatives, friends, neighbors, and community organizations are less isolated and more likely to seek help when needed. Access to concrete supports such as employment opportunities, safe housing, child care, and health services helps reduce pressures that can place families at risk. When caregivers have knowledge of parenting and child development, they are better equipped to respond to children’s needs with confidence. And when children have opportunities to build social and emotional skills, they are better prepared to form healthy relationships and cope with challenges.

Every day, DFS works with families to strengthen these protective factors. This may include helping a parent access safe child care so they can maintain employment, connecting a family with local resources, or ensuring caregivers have the information and support they need to meet their child’s needs. While every family’s situation is unique, our focus remains consistent: reduce stress, increase connections, and support families so children can safely remain at home whenever possible.

Partnerships for prevention

Strong partnerships across Wyoming communities make this work possible. Child safety does not belong to one agency alone. Teachers may notice changes in a child’s behavior. Health care providers may recognize patterns that suggest a family needs additional support. Community and faith-based organizations often build trusted relationships with families long before challenges arise. When these connections are strong and information flows appropriately across systems, families are more likely to receive help earlier, before situations escalate.

DFS continues to improve these partnerships through collaboration with community organizations and participation in the National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS), a national collaborative of agencies working together to strengthen how agencies learn from data and work together to prevent harm and better support families. By examining how systems interact, we can better understand where barriers exist and where earlier support may change the trajectory for a child or family. This work helps us improve how services are delivered and identify opportunities to better align resources with family needs.

Just as families benefit from strong support networks, so do the professionals who serve them. Supporting caseworkers, service providers, educators, and health professionals with training, tools, and collaborative partnerships strengthens the overall system of care. When professionals have the resources they need to make thoughtful decisions, children and families benefit.

That is the work underway in Wyoming.

The blue pinwheels remind us of the joy and possibility of childhood. They also remind us that when families have the support they need, children are safer, communities are stronger, and the future is brighter. Through WY Home Matters, we remain committed to strengthening families, building connections, and creating conditions where all Wyoming children can grow up safe, supported, and surrounded by people who care.

Korin Schmidt is the director of Wyoming’s Department of Family Services. Gov. Mark Gordon appointed her to the post in March 2019.

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