Rockledge, FL – March 25, 2026 – The Child Abuse Prevention Task Force of Brevard County, in conjunction with Family Partnerships of Central Florida (FPOCF), is helping organize and coordinate several community awareness events across Central Florida for Child Abuse Prevention, nationally recognized in April.
Events will support the 2026 nationwide campaign theme of “Building Stronger Families,” with events featuring blue pinwheel planting and MANicure Movement blue fingernail painting to symbolize the innocence and strength of childhood. MANicure Movement began in 2017 in Central Florida and is a grassroots effort designed to raise awareness of child abuse as a national health crisis.
“There is nothing more important in this world than protecting and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children,” said Family Partnerships President and CEO Phil Scarpelli. “These events bring together concerned and caring community leaders dedicated to protecting our children. The more attention and awareness we bring to child abuse prevention helps us build societal intolerance for it in any shape or form in our families and communities.”
Davine Vincent, Child Abuse Prevention Task Force chair and CARES supervisor at Family Partnerships, says this year’s slate of activities is the broadest to date. “We’ve identified numerous community partners to assist in holding these informative public awareness events,” says Vincent. “We’re excited to see all the vibrant blue shining throughout our communities in April — bringing heightened awareness to child abuse prevention.”
- March 27 – MANicure Movement blue fingernail painting at the Children’s Cabinet of Orange County meeting from 9 to 10:30 a.m., held at Family Partnerships of Central Florida, 901 N. Destiny Rd., Maitland.
- March 31 – 5 p.m. proclamation reading at Brevard Public Schools at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way in Viera.
- April 1 – 10:15 a.m. pinwheel planting at Children’s Advocacy Center of Brevard, 1100 Rockledge Blvd., Rockledge.
- April 4 – Fashion company Kendra Scott hosting community event benefiting MANicure Movement from noon to 2 p.m. at 2270 Town Center Ave. Suite 101, Melbourne.
- April 7 – 5 to 8 p.m. Brevard Child Abuse Prevention Task Force (BCAPTC) fundraising at Texas Roadhouse located at 2015 Viera Blvd. in Viera, with 10 percent of total food purchases benefitting BCAPTC.
- April 15 – 1 p.m. pinwheel planting at Brevard County Sheriff’s Office located at Criminal Investigation Services and Special Victims Unit office at 340 Gus Hipp Blvd., Rockledge.
- April 15 – 9:30 a.m. pinwheel planting and MANicure Movement event at Family Partnerships of Central Florida, 4050 Riomar Drive, Rockledge.
- April 17 – 1 p.m. Guardian Ad Litem and Judge Christina Serrano pinwheel planting at the Melbourne County Courthouse, 51 S. Nieman Ave, Melbourne.
- April 21 – pinwheel planting and MANicure Movement event at 11 a.m. at Family Partnerships Orange County Service Center, located at 4001 Pelee St., Orlando.
- April 22 – pinwheel planting and MANicure Movement event at 11 a.m. at Family Partnerships Osceola County Service Center, located at 3600 Commerce Blvd. Bldg. B, Suite 101, Kissimmee.
- April 23 – 10:30 a.m. pinwheel planting at Family Partnerships’ headquarters office at 389 Commerce Parkway in Rockledge.
- April 25 – Family friendly 5K Superhero Run held starting at 7:30 a.m. at The Avenue at Viera. All proceeds benefit abused and neglected children in Brevard County and support the Guardian Ad Litem Program.
- April 30 – 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Child Abuse Prevention Task Force banquet at Hilton Rialto in Melbourne, recognizing impactful community leaders.
Signs of childhood abuse vary but common indicators are: unexplained injuries, behavioral changes, fears of returning home, changes in eating or sleeping habits, and regression to early childhood behaviors. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least one in seven children experienced child abuse or neglect in the United States in the past year. In 2021, 1,820 children died of abuse and neglect in the U.S. The Florida Abuse Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-962-2873 for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children and vulnerable adults.
Photo and video highlights of these events will be available.
About Family Partnerships of Central Florida
Family Partnerships of Central Florida (FPOCF) is committed to protecting children, strengthening families and changing lives through a comprehensive, integrated, community-based system of care that provides adoption, foster care and independent living services for children and families in Brevard, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties. Contracted with the Florida Department of Children and Families as the lead child welfare agency in the four-county area, FPOCF’s mission is to ensure that the children it serves thrive in safe, healthy and loving families.
About the Child Abuse Prevention Task Force (CAPTF) of Brevard County
The mission of the CAPTF is to work collaboratively with its member organizations for the purpose of coordination, cooperation, communication, and integration to promote the prevention of child abuse and neglect through community awareness and education. The task force was established in 1996 and officially recognized by the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners in 2016. The organization serves as a Brevard County clearinghouse for information on services and public notices related to child abuse prevention. They are the designated lead organization for supporting Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in Brevard and child abuse prevention strategic plans for Brevard County.
Media Contact:
Bryan Culbert
Director, Public Relations
