Last year, over halve of Cannon County's child abuse cases were related to exposure to parental drug abuse. A 5K Run/Walk is set for April 1st at Woodbury's Dillon Park.

The Cannon County Child Advocacy Center is hosting the Cannon Runs for Children 5K Run/Walk to help raise money for services for child abuse victims, child sexual abuse victims, and drug endangered children. All proceeds raised in Cannon County stay in Cannon County and help Cannon County children and families.

Cannon Runs for Children 5K Run/Walk will be on April 1 in Woodbury. Registration starts at 6:45 a.m. at Dillon Park, with speakers at 7:15 a.m., and the race begins at 7:30 a.m. People may pre-register online at runsignup.com by searching Cannon Runs for Children. You may also register by contacting the Child Advocacy Center at 615-563-9915 and having a registration form emailed to you. The entry fees are $25 for adults and $15 for students or seniors. All participants will receive an April Fool's Day jester t-shirt.

Cannon County Coordinator Alissa Kalish. "The Child Advocacy Center is here to help parents who want to stop using drugs and give their children a happier childhood."

The services are free to anyone who wants help. But it takes community support to keep it that way.

According to the 2016 Department of Children's Services TFACTS Data Extract Report, Department of Children's Services responded to 166 child abuse cases in Cannon County, including 102 assessment cases and 64 child abuse investigations--this represented a 23% increase over the previous year. Of the 166 Cannon County child abuse referrals 94 cases or 57% of the referrals involved children who were being exposed to their parent's drug use.

Kalish teaches children and families how to cope with addiction issues. Services include in-home services, alcohol and drug education, relapse prevention, anger management, stress management, parenting and communication skills. The goal of the program is to help parents who want to stop using drugs and break the generational cycle of addiction with their children.

For more information about the event call the Cannon County Child Advocacy Center at 615-563-9915.