Rockwall County Marks Child Abuse Prevention Month With Gala, Community Events

The Children's Advocacy Center for Rockwall County is launching its most ambitious stretch of Child Abuse Prevention Month programming yet, anchored by the 8th Annual Go Blue for Kids Kickoff Party this Thursday at Standard Service in Heath and culminating in the 10th Annual Go Blue for Kids Gala on April 25 at the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront.

The kickoff party runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on March 26 at Standard Service, 4240 Ridge Rd in Heath, and is free and open to families. Last year's equivalent event, the 7th Annual Kickoff Party held March 27, 2025 at the same venue, raised $20,820 from 87 supporters, reaching 83 percent of its $25,000 fundraising goal. Sponsorships for the 2026 kickoff remain available.

The Gala on April 25 marks the campaign's 10th year in that format, with the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront serving as the venue. Blue Ribbon News serves as media sponsor for the event.

Woven through both milestones is the broader Go Blue for Kids campaign, which CACRC runs each April to build awareness around child abuse prevention and family strengthening. Blue is the designated national awareness color for child abuse prevention, and CACRC is encouraging county residents to display blue ribbons on mailboxes, trees, or car antennas, purchase Go Blue yard signs, wear blue on Go Blue Day and post their reasons for participating on social media, and download a Blue Sunday Prayer Sheet. Businesses can join the campaign by hosting spirit nights, donation classes, or fundraisers under the Go Blue for Kids Business Supporter banner.

A Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is also part of the April programming, though specific dates, times, and locations for those events had not been announced as of publication.

Official proclamations recognizing Child Abuse Prevention Month will be issued across the county and its municipalities throughout March and April. The schedule begins March 31 with a 5:30 p.m. event at the Rockwall County courthouse, 101 E. Rusk St. Rockwall City Hall follows April 6 at 5:30 p.m., with Fate City Hall holding its own proclamation the same evening at 6 p.m. at 1900 CD Boren Pkwy. Rowlett's proclamation is set for April 7 at 7 p.m. at 4000 Main St.

April 14 carries the heaviest load: the Rockwall County Commissioners Court convenes at 9 a.m. on the third floor of the Rockwall Historic Courthouse at 101 E. Rusk, followed by proclamations that evening at Wylie Council Chambers (300 Country Club Road, Building 100) at 6 p.m., Heath City Hall (200 Laurence Drive) at 6:30 p.m., McLendon-Chisholm City Hall (1371 W. FM 550) at 6:30 p.m., and Royse City Police and Courts Building (100 W. Main St.) at 7 p.m.

Residents can also donate or volunteer directly with CACRC, a 501(c)(3) organization, to support the center's year-round work serving children in Rockwall County.