Red Deer's Go Blue Open House set for Oct. 14 to mark Child Abuse Prevention Month
Families can tour the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and meet facility dogs as the community marks Child Abuse Prevention Month. The province says it invested $3.7 million this year for child and youth advocacy centres across Alberta.
The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre and the Sheldon Kennedy Centre of Excellence will host a free Go Blue Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 2 to 6 p.m. to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month. Attendees can tour the facility, meet staff, and learn about programs and services offered to children, youth and families in the region.
The event will feature Dogs with Wings facility dogs, a balloon artist, face painting, glitter tattoos, crafts and games. Free stuffed animals will be given to the first 100 kids, and blue magic smoothies will be sold on-site, with Heal Red Deer donating $1 per purchase this month to the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.
Alberta Minister of Children and Family Services Searle Turton issued a statement for Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlighting provincial investments including $3.7 million for child and youth advocacy centres and $17 million this year for 15 sexual assault centres across Alberta. He noted that Family Resource Networks help connect families to early intervention supports before problems escalate.
Turton encouraged Albertans to recognize signs of abuse, speak up about concerns, and support affected children and families. Anyone worried about a child's safety can contact the Child Intervention Line at 1-800-638-0715, available 24/7, or reach out to Children and Family Services, a Delegated First Nations Agency, or local police.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.