Child Abuse

Prevention Month, observed in April for the past 20 years, is recognized

County children.

A week-long

event will take place April 21-25 in Fayette County elementary schools.

Social workers and volunteers will visit schools to discuss the problem

of abuse. Physical education teachers will organize parades and power

walks, with the elementary students canvassing neighborhoods and businesses

for donations to help abused children who live in the Friday Home, located

in northern Fayette County, and the Johnson Home, in Brooks.

Fayette County

Probate Judge Martha Stephenson and Department of Family and Children's

Services Director Mary Davis visited Peachtree City Elementary School

to help kick off this year's Power Parade. Beverly Kiel, a physical education

teacher at the school, helped in the effort.

"We talk

about the problem of abuse and we practice what we will say to folks from

whom we ask for donations," Kiel explained. "There have been

times when this exercise has brought a child to my attention who has told

about their own abuse for the first time."

Local businesses

donate prizes for the school, classes, and individual children who have

the highest participation in fund Raising. Sportime, maker of physical

education equipment, always donates a $500 gift certificate for the school

with the highest participation, and the Atlanta Braves give four tickets

to the individual student who talks to the most people.

"It's

wonderful to come together in this effort to enlighten the community,"

said Davis, "and what better place than schools to address an issue

that impacts children in such a significant way."

For information

about Child Abuse Prevention, contact Sharon Herbert, DFACS, 770-460-2555

or Jane Gough, 770-716-8420.