Every child deserves a safe, supportive environment to grow and thrive. At Pa Family Support Alliance, this commitment drives our work every day. From honoring exceptional advocates at our Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards to raising awareness about online safety and nurturing children’s emotional growth, we’re proud to collaborate with communities across the state to #ProtectPAKids. Here’s a look at the impactful events, programs, and efforts that defined this year.

Recognizing those who go the extra mile to #ProtectPAKids

April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and fostering action to protect children. To commence this important observance, PFSA proudly hosts the annual Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids Awards ceremony. This year, we honored four outstanding advocates from across Pennsylvania for their exceptional efforts in preventing child abuse and neglect:

• Kimberly Saltsman – Executive Director, Children’s Advocacy Center of Centre County, Mount Nittany Health
• Crystal Long – Forensic Interviewer/Prevention Educator, Adams County Children’s Advocacy Center
• Nancy Reitzel – Early Childhood Education Instructor, Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center
• Lisa K. Wilcox – Director of Children and Youth, Sullivan County Children and Youth Services

Due to inclement weather, our annual blue-ribbon flag planting event, typically held on the morning of the awards ceremony along State Street outside the Capitol in Harrisburg, was canceled. Nevertheless, our team proceeded with the flag planting on April 1 to align with the ceremony. A total of 4,992 blue flags were planted—each representing a substantiated case of child abuse in 2022—and 60 black flags were added to honor every child who tragically lost their life to abuse that year.

PFSA was joined by the Susquehanna Children’s Chorale, the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, and several state and local elected officials for this solemn but impactful event. Media coverage of the awards ceremony included reports by WGAL and FOX43, among other media outlets.

Working to #ProtectPAKids online

The Internet never stops, and neither does protecting kids online. We continued to bring awareness to Family Digital Wellness throughout 2024. Ang talked to WITF about how what communities can do to protect kids online and at home, and also wrote an op-ed for PennLive with tips for parents on how to appropriately restrict their child’s screen time.

Lamar Advertising generously donated 20 billboards across the greater Harrisburg-York region to spotlight our Family Digital Wellness initiative and showcase two of our Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids. We are deeply grateful for Lamar’s support and their impactful contribution to raising awareness in our community.

Partnering together to #ProtectPAKids

On April 4, PFSA hosted a compelling webinar led by Emma Lee, Associate Director of the Fred Rogers Institute. The session explored Fred Rogers’ timeless philosophy on nurturing children’s emotional growth and offered guidance on addressing difficult topics with children.

Following this, on April 9, Lee and the Fred Rogers Institute delivered an in-person presentation hosted by Wesley Family Services. PFSA leaders attended the event, shared remarks, and engaged in insightful discussions led by Lee, all centered on empowering children to thrive in today’s complex world.

Educators and policy leaders play a pivotal role in fostering safe environments for children. Partnerships with organizations like the Fred Rogers Institute provide us with the ability to reach more parents and educators so that we can equip them with the tools to navigate complex topics in today’s classrooms and communities.

What to expect from PFSA in 2025

We’ll continue advocating for Family Digital Wellness and protecting kids online. We’re also excited about a new program that we’ll be launching next year, and can’t wait to share it with you all.

As we look ahead to 2025, we remain steadfast in our mission to protect every child and empower every family. Together, we can create a future where every child grows up safe, supported, and ready to thrive.