Help us create a safer and healthier environment for children in our community. Join us in our efforts to prevent child abuse and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Cobb Collaborative leads the Prevent Child Abuse Georgia local council for Cobb County. In this role as Prevent Child Abuse Cobb, the Collaborative will continue work within our programming to bolster child abuse and neglect prevention efforts and awareness in the community.
Prevent Child Abuse Cobb looks forward to engaging the community in new ways to strengthen local families and help all children thrive. Cobb Collaborative Executive Director, Irene Barton, says, "We are honored and excited to partner with SafePath Children's Advocacy Center on this important journey. We know that anything and everything we can do to strengthen and support parents, families and caregivers helps to prevent child abuse."
Know the Signs
Child abuse comes in many forms and includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and some forms of neglect. Once it has happened, it can have lasting affects on the physical and mental health of a child as well as his or her overall well-being. Learning the signs that a child is being abused is the first step on behalf of helping maltreated children.
Ways You Can Help
There are many ways to get involved in efforts to prevent child abuse:
Volunteer your time or resources to organizations that support survivors of abuse and work to prevent future incidents.
Advocate for policies and legislation prioritizing the safety and well-being of children in our community.
Donate to Prevent Child Abuse Cobb to support our mission of preventing child abuse and providing resources for families and communities.
Utilize the Child Abuse Prevention Toolkit to unify efforts, raise awareness, and support year-round prevention with clear calls to action and best-practice resources.
Educate yourself and others about the signs of child abuse and how to report suspected abuse.
Attend one of our Mandated Reporter Training sessions or schedule one for your team! For more information, email communications@cobbcollaborative.org.
Find more resources, information, and ways to get involved at Prevent Child Abuse Georgia.
Resources for Families
FindHelpGA.org is an easy way for Georgians to get connected with help based on a comprehensive directory of local resources that will strengthen families.
In addition, Cobb County partnered with FindHelp this year to create a new online resource that connects residents with assistance programs.
Help seekers can search by zip code, or speak directly with a resource specialist by phone
(1-800-244-5373) or online chat to locate resources near them.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are potentially traumatic events during childhood, such as neglect, abuse, and household dysfunction, that affect a child’s sense of safety, stability, and ability to form bonds. These experiences can have lasting effects on well-being.
Please head to our ACEs page to find more information.
National data shows adults with 4+ ACEs compared to zero are:
-6 times more likely to have clinical depression
-3.6 times more likely to have serious job problems
-2.2 times more likely to have a heart attack
Addressing ACEs and their impacts requires a collective, community-centered approach. By recognizing the prevalence of trauma and understanding its long-term effects, we can better support healing and resilience.
Through collaborative efforts, we aim to disrupt the cycle of trauma, cultivate resilience, and prevent future adversity. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone in our community feels safe, supported, and equipped to thrive.
Child Abuse Prevention Month 2024
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and this year we embraced various initiatives to raise awareness.
Learn more about our efforts below:
Pinwheels for Prevention
Blue pinwheels represent the playfulness, joy, and innocence that define what childhood should be. They remind us of the wonderful childhoods we envision for every child. With the support of our community, these pinwheels were placed throughout Cobb County in the month of April, symbolizing our shared commitment to creating safe, happy experiences for all children.
We were honored to receive proclamations from several cities recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. These highlight the importance of protecting children and supporting families in our community. Each city’s acknowledgment strengthens our shared commitment to creating safe, nurturing environments for children and raising awareness about child abuse prevention.
- The City of Smyrna
- The City of Marietta
- The City of Powder Springs
- The City of Austell
PCA Cobb Meeting
During our first Prevent Child Abuse Cobb convening in 2024, Cobb County stakeholders gathered to discuss ways to increase public awareness and implement family-strengthening programs as part of our work to prevent child abuse and neglect. We appreciate Beth Florence for sharing her valuable insights on Georgia’s Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan (CANPP) and to Cobb County DFCS for hosting us!
Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) Georgia is housed in the Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development at Georgia State University. PCA Georgia, a state chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, provides statewide direction to prevent child abuse and neglect, promote healthy child development, and develop strong families through its prevention network, public awareness, prevention programs, and advocacy.