The White Sands Missile Range Army Community Service will hold several events in observance of Month of the Military Child starting April 1, emphasizing the efforts of military parents.
As part of Month of the Military Child the 2025 National Child Abuse Awareness Month campaign is held to help increase the installation communities’ awareness of support services offered by the Army, to honor military and civilian children, and serve as an opportunity to celebrate progress made towards ensuring the well-being and safety of children. This year’s theme is Milparents Rock.
Amanda Carreras, the new Army Community Service Division Chief and Family Advocacy Program Manager, said this is the third year the theme has been used Army wide, which highlights the fact that despite hardship parents still get the job done.
Carreras said it is important to celebrate this month because it serves as validation to parents and families that we understand the demand as parents, especially working parents.
“We want them to know that we understand what they are going through. It also reiterates the fact that when they are faced with challenges, because of events like this, they have gained the skills and resources necessary to succeed as parents. A lot of the programming and activities that we incorporate in this month are just highlights because Family Advocacy Programs continue to provide the support year-round.”
ACS staff will kick off the month with a panel on Family Advocacy Insights April 1 starting at 9 a.m. at the Professional Development Center Building 465.
Carreras said this is a time for her to educate the community on reporting procedures. She said many parents who come to WSMR from another state are not aware that the laws in New Mexico for reporting child abuse are different from other states, especially due to the fact that New Mexico ranks among the highest in the number of child maltreatment cases, including a higher number of fatalities due to family violence.
“Our laws here are stricter than other states in the country. Parents may not be aware of what is reportable, so I want to educate them about the risks and types of abuse that people would report.”
Panelists include Lt. Andrew Fank, Military Police Investigator, who serves as the Supervisory Detective for the WSMR Police Department. He directs and coordinates efforts of the criminal investigations division concerning allegations of child abuse and neglect.
Briana Beaudoin, La Piñon Forensic Interviewer, is the Child Advocacy Program Director at La Piñon Children’s Advocacy Center. She has conducted over 450 interviews of children and vulnerable adults experiencing all forms of abuse and maltreatment.
Breana Trujillo, Child Youth and Families Department Investigator, conducts investigations for child abuse and neglect cases reported to the Child, Youth, and Families Department. She facilitates and assesses for safety and for children at risk in Doña Ana County.
The next event is the signing of the Child Abuse Prevention Proclamation by the Installation and Garrison Command Teams, 11:30 a.m. April 2 at the Frontier Club.
Registration for “A Daddy’s Love” class will also be in effect from 1 to 2 p.m. on April 2 at the Frontier Club. The class is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 29 at ACS Building 250.
Carreras said identifying the husband/dad parenting role, the class helps develop and strengthen skills in the physical care, protection, supervision and nurturing appropriate to a child’s age and stage of development.
All attendees will receive a paracord bracelet. For more information call (575) 678-6767.
Other events include CYFD Foster Parent Orientation Class 10 a.m. April 15 at the ACS Training Room.
The next WSMR Community Baby Shower will also be held on April 25 starting at 2 p.m. at ACS along with a FAP Open House that will go on until 4 p.m.
Finally, the “Rocko the Snake” family activity will be held April 1 through 30 outside all Child Youth Services facilities. Families are encouraged to bring a painted/decorated rock and add it to the head of Rocko the Snake at one of the CYS facilities. Let’s see which Rocko the Snake will end up being the longest.
Carreras said, the event also helps highlight other programs such as the Women Infants and Children program which is available at ACS. WIC is a nutrition program offered to expectant parents all the way until the child turns 5 years old.
She said WIC benefits can provide anywhere from $200 to $300 in grocery benefits. It helps provide all the basic nutritional food items for the expectant parent and the child. The WIC staff is at WSMR once a month but can also take appointments.
Event participants include the Directorate of Family, Morale, and Welfare, Army Community Service, Family Advocacy Program, Child and Youth Services, and New Parent Support Program.
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