ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- Child and Parent Services in Elkhart are collaborating with Maple City to spread awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month, which takes place during April.

So far, CAPS officials say over 550 pinwheel gardens and 16,000 pinwheels have been planted around the region.

The blue and silver pinwheels can be seen around neighborhoods, businesses, schools, and churches throughout the county and surrounding communities.

Each pinwheel is meant to symbolize the happy, healthy childhood every child deserves as well as a visible reminder of the community’s commitment to keeping children safe.

Rebecca Shetler, CEO of CAPS, said, "It's really important to spread awareness of child abuse so that adults know and can be part of that protective fabric and community that makes this community uniquely safe, but also for kids to know, for kids across schools and churches in the community to know that when they see these blue pinwheels, that is a promise from adults in their lives to protect them. And if they haven't been safe, for all the survivors, the hundreds of kids who have been victims and survivors of abuse that walk through our doors every year when they see these out in April, it's something really special, and it's a sign that we will do better, and we want to keep you safe."

CAPS also collaborates with Maple City to expand services, offering comprehensive child and family support, including medical and mental health care.

You can learn more about CAPS and the services they offer online.