MEDIA ADVISORY
April 16, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT
Trey Williams
(225) 342-6700
(225) 436-9582 (cell)



WHEN: Friday, April 17, 2009
11:00 a.m.

WHERE: Department of Social Services
Iberville Building
647 N. Fourth St.
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

WHO: Kristy Nichols, DSS Secretary
Anna Fogle, PCAL President
Cheryl Landrieu, Pinwheels for Prevention Statewide Honorary Chair
Olivia Ruby, Miss Teen Baton Rouge and child abuse survivor
DSS employees

WHAT: The Louisiana Department of Social Services, in partnership with Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana (PCAL), will host a Pinwheel Planting Ceremony on the grounds of the Iberville Building. During the event, DSS employees will plant the bright blue spinning pinwheels on DSS grounds and present a check to PCAL for the total of DSS' statewide fund-raising efforts. As part of this celebration, employees can enjoy free popcorn and buy a snow cone for just $1 (proceeds will go to PCAL).

April is Child Abuse Prevention month in Louisiana. The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is an excellent symbol of DSS' and PCAL's focus on child abuse prevention. Pinwheels for Prevention raises public awareness of child abuse and neglect in Louisiana and the need for preventive services to reduce abuse and neglect, as well funding for PCAL programs like the staffed hotline 1-800-CHILDREN, parenting classes and professional training for those who work with children.