Families flock to Deer Run Park whenever the weather allows with the walking trails, playground, skate park, disc golf and more providing ample activity and entertainment for visitors.

Next week, the park will also be the site of Brown County’s first Family Festival, brought to the public by the Department of Child Services.

April is Child Abuse Prevention month and counties throughout the state plan various events where they plant blue pinwheels to promote awareness of child abuse prevention. But because of the pandemic, the Brown County DCS office had done smaller or no events to recognize Child Abuse Prevention month the last two years.

This year, the local department wanted to do something for the community that would be more engaging to families here, local DCS director Jonathon Dauterman said.

Child abuse and neglect are rarely the result of someone having a “desire to inflict harm on a child,” but instead it is more often the result of stressors experienced by the parents or caregivers, Dauterman said.

With unprecedented circumstances of lockdowns during the pandemic, Dauterman said new stressors were created for families over the last two years.

“COVID created an entirely new set of stressors for families while also increasing isolation and magnifying the stressors that may have already been there,” he said.

“It’s important as we emerge from COVID that the supports present in the community reconnect with children and families in a way that we may have pulled back from due to COVID. … It’s equally important that we’re prepared, as a community, to respond to families’ needs should there be any further surges in the pandemic.”

There are various agencies involved in the child welfare system who want to be available as a support for a family, not just “punishment” if something goes wrong, Dauterman said.

“When my office receives a new report, our first goal is always to work with the family in a way that ensures the safety and well-being of the children without DCS needing to get involved long term,” he said.

“To support that goal, we need to have a robust network of organizations and services within the community to support children and families both before and after the need for DCS intervention arises.”

With that said, DCS will not be the only one at Deer Run Park next week helping to make the festival possible for families.

The Brown County Recovery and Wellness Coalition was also interested in having a spring event to raise awareness, Dauterman said.

Soon DCS was able to bring together several community members to start planning this event.

The goal of the festival is both to bring these different community groups together and help educate the community on what resources are available to them, Dauterman said.

Community groups participating are Centerstone, Ireland Home Based Services, Guardian Ad Litem, Healthy Families, Turning Point, multiple groups with Brown County Schools, Recover Out Loud, the Brown County Recovery and Wellness Coalition, the Veterans Service Office, League of Women Voters of Brown County, Red Cross, Big Woods/Quaff ON!/Hard Truth and Brown Countians for Quality Health Care.

Dauterman’s first hope for the event is that families are able to come and have a fun time with games, food, a bounce, house and face painting.

There will also be a free raffle, giveaways and free haircuts available.

Beyond that, he said that he hopes people who attend are able to make connections with the organizations participating and are able to learn about a new and helpful resource or opportunity.

Amanda Kinnaird is the manager of Brown County child and family services with Centerstone, the local mental health care provider. Their organization is one that will have a booth with information about mental health services available in Brown County and employment opportunities through Centerstone.

She said that child abuse prevention is all about building strong communities and families. To build strong communities and families requires creating space where people come together to have fun, connect and learn about resources that may uplift their family.

“The Family Festival we are hosting at Deer Run Park is meant to be a time to celebrate the resiliency, assets, resources and people of Brown County,” Kinnaird said.

“We are a small community with a big heart and a lot of to offer.”

Want to go? 

Brown County Family Festival will be at Deer Run Park, 1001 Deer Run Lane, Monday, April 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m.

It was originally scheduled for April 25 but was moved due to weather conditions.

There will be activities for kids, bounce house, face painting and games. Community resource information will be available. For more information call 812-988-2239.