The CHIPS Center Raises Awareness During Child Abuse Prevention Month

Birmingham, Ala.  (April 1, 2026) — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the CHIPS Center at Children’s of Alabama wants to raise awareness about child abuse and resources available to help those who may be affected by it.

Since 1995, the Children’s Hospital Intervention and Prevention Services (CHIPS) has served as an outpatient clinic where children who have experienced suspected abuse and their families can come for support, hope, and healing. The center offers a variety of services, including forensic medical exams and counseling.

“The month of April, the month for Child Abuse awareness and prevention, is to highlight the children who need to learn prevention skills, the adults who also need to learn how to prevent abuse, and to honor the children who have been abused and possibly have died from child abuse,” said Debra Schneider, executive director of the CHIPS Center

Schneider says if you suspect abuse, you should report it immediately. Anyone can report suspected abuse to the local Department of Human Resources. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

“Child abuse is preventable through supervision, through knowing your child, listening to your child, having good communication, and knowing that if something changes with your child, to reach out to him or her and let them know you are there to help,” said Schneider.

Throughout April, pinwheels will be seen outside the CHIPS Center, and the hospital will be lit in blue.

“The pinwheel is used as a symbol to remind us of the innocence of childhood and the joy that children should be feeling in their childhood, so pinwheels are there to remind us of happy, innocent, joyful times,” said Schneider.

The CHIPS Center will also participate in the fifth annual Pinwheels for Prevention on Saturday, April 18, at Chelsea City Hall (11611 Chelsea Road). This free event will begin at 10 a.m. and last until Noon.