On the grass of Greater Nevada Field and around Washoe County, more than 1,000 large, blue pinwheels can be seen whirling, providing an incredibly beautiful backdrop to raise awareness of the significance of preventing child abuse and neglect.
As part of April being National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, a number of organizations joined the Reno Aces and the Washoe County Human Services Agency (HSA) to spread awareness about the importance of protecting Washoe County's children.
Their efforts aimed to promote community involvement and highlight the need for greater attention and action toward preventing child abuse and neglect in the region.
The community was invited to join HSA, the Reno Aces, Northern Nevada Legal Aid, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office, the Washoe County District Attorney's Office, and the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) on Thursday, to gather to plant blue pinwheels in front of Greater Nevada Field.
In addition to Greater Nevada Field, hundreds of pinwheels have been planted at the following locations throughout the community:
- Washoe County Administration Complex.
- Washoe County Human Services Agency.
- Washoe County Family Engagement Center.
- Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
- District Attorney’s Office (Washoe County Child Advocacy Center).
Each planted pinwheel symbolizes the carefree, happy childhood that every child in Washoe County deserves, free from abuse and neglect.
In Fiscal Year 2024, HSA collected 6,029 reports of suspected child abuse and/or neglect and reunited 162 children with their families.
HSA says under Nevada Revised Statute Section 250.508, "Willfully causing a minor (a child under the age of 18) to suffer unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering" is the definition of child abuse and/or neglect.
Officials encourage the public to call Washoe County HSA Child Protective Services at 833-900-SAFE if they have any suspicions of child abuse or neglect.
