By Ken Adelblue
Northern News Network
BILLINGS, Mont. (April 2, 2026) — April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and strengthening families to ensure children grow up in safe, supportive environments.
Ken Adelblue of the Northern News Network spoke with Bill Kennedy of the Family Tree Nurturing Center and the Billings Exchange Club’s Child Abuse Prevention Center about the ongoing challenges surrounding child abuse and prevention efforts in the community.
“It’s a very tough issue,” Kennedy said. “There’s a lot of stigma, and many people don’t want to talk about it. But the trauma parents experience as children often carries into adulthood. Without support, that trauma can be passed on to their children.”
Kennedy said the organization focuses on breaking that cycle by offering parenting education, child care support and family services aimed at reducing stress and strengthening households.
“When you have children, there are no instructions,” he said. “In the past, extended family often provided guidance. Today, many families don’t have that support, so organizations like ours step in to help.”
The center provides parenting classes Monday through Thursday evenings, along with child care, therapy services and home visitation programs for new parents. Kennedy emphasized that stress is a major contributing factor in abusive situations.
“If we can reduce stress through support services, we can help prevent abuse before it happens,” he said.
While physical abuse often shows visible signs, emotional abuse can be harder to detect. Kennedy said it is just as damaging and frequently stems from patterns learned in childhood.
“A lot of parents experienced emotional abuse themselves, and it becomes normalized,” he said. “But that’s not how it has to be. We work to help families recognize those patterns and change them.”
The center also works with incarcerated women through parenting programs, aiming to prevent the continuation of abuse across generations.
Throughout April, several community events will highlight prevention efforts. A pinwheel planting — symbolizing childlike joy and the importance of a safe childhood — is scheduled for noon Friday, April 10, on the Yellowstone County Courthouse lawn.
Additional events include a recognition ceremony April 23 at the Family Tree Nurturing Center, where community members will be honored for their contributions to child abuse prevention. Churches are also encouraged to observe “Blue Sunday” on the last Sunday of the month to raise awareness among congregations.
Kennedy said community involvement is essential.
“Everyone knows someone who may need a little extra support,” he said. “We want people to understand there are resources available and that help is out there.”
The Family Tree Nurturing Center also offers licensed child care services and encourages families to visit its website to learn more about available programs.
“Our goal is to break the cycle,” Kennedy said. “We want to ensure children don’t carry the same trauma into adulthood.”
While progress continues, Kennedy acknowledged that eliminating child abuse entirely remains a long-term challenge.
“But if we keep raising awareness and supporting families,” he said, “we can make a difference.”
