This month, 11 Minnesota counties and tribes received the 13th annual Pinwheels for Prevention Award from Minnesota Communities Caring for Children. The Pinwheel Award recognizes communities that exemplify a strong commitment to the prevention of child maltreatment through collaborative public, private, nonprofit and local services efforts.

This year MCCC is awarding the Pinwheels for Prevention Award to Red Lake, Hennepin County Medical Center’s Mother-Baby Day Hospital and Douglas, Freeborn, Grant, Lake, Olmsted, Stearns, Todd, Wabasha and Wright counties.

The award is presented to community leaders in an effort to raise awareness about their innovative programs and to encourage continued investment in prevention and family strengthening efforts statewide. The pinwheel is a national symbol of child abuse and neglect prevention awareness. Over 225 Pinwheel Awards have been presented since 2003.