PICKENS COUNTY—When you see a blue ribbon on pinned to someone’s shirt this month, it probably won’t be there as an award.

During April, people are wearing blue ribbons to as a reminder of the fight against child abuse.

Blue Ribbon Month began 20 years ago in Norfolk, Va., where Bonnie Finney tied a blue ribbon to her van as a memorial to her 3-year-old grandson, who had been murdered by his mother’s abusive boyfriend. The spirit she displayed caught on, and others have joined, using the blue ribbons as reminders of the bruises of child abuse.

“April is a special month that places a national focus on the issue of child abuse prevention,” said Cortni Nations, executive director of Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County. “It’s an issue that affects an entire community. Therefore, we must educate parents on childhood development, maternal health and the importance of building strong bonds and focusing on open communications with their children.”

Several churches in the area are hosting a “Blue Ribbon Sunday,” as a reminder to members of each congregation of the dangers of child abuse.

Schools have also joined the effort by collecting “Pennies for Prevention.”

Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County is a nonprofit agency that has served families since 1991. Programs include Home visitation for teen moms, children’s programs, parent support groups, parenting classes and victims services.

Last year the agency provided 401 intensive home visits to 32 teen moms and their families through its WINGS program.

“This is a program in which we work one-on-one with these families on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, teaching them the importance of prenatal care, health and nutrition, developmental milestones, positive discipline and more,” Nations said. “In order to truly prevent maltreatment, research shows that the more intensive the service, the more likely you will be reducing child abuse and neglect.”

None of the teen mothers in the WINGS program have been indicated for abuse or neglect while in the program.

“We all know that when we can prevent child abuse before it begins, we save a precious life,” Nations said. “And our community is safe and financially better off.”

For more information, call The Parenting Place, home of Prevent Child Abuse Pickens County, at 898-5583.