BATON ROUGE- State and local officials will declare on Monday the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention month.

Officials will join Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana and partners to “plant” 1,000 pinwheels at the Capitol lawn to raise awareness of preventing abuse and neglect.

A press conference will take place on Monday at 10:30 a.m. where Gov. John Bel Edwards will read a proclamation announcing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the state.

House Speaker  Pro Tem Walt Leger, State Police Col. Mike Edmonson, East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux, Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie, along with other legislators and state government officials will attend the press conference.

Pinwheels to plant are available for a $1 donation that supports PCA Louisiana’s outreach programs.

Area businesses, schools, organizations and individuals are expected to plant more than 20,000 pinwheels statewide in April.

For more information on Prevent Child Abuse Louisiana or to donate visit www.pcal.org.