COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- El Paso County is recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The declaration comes after 10 children, six under the age of 1 year old, were killed in the county last year as a result of abuse or neglect. As a result, County Commissioner Sallie Clark and District Attorney Dan May started the 'Not One More Child' initiative with a goal to not have one more child die because of abuse.

"The alarming number of child fatalities in 2011 is of great community concern," Clark said in a press release.

More than 80 representatives from various organizations across the Pikes Peak region, such as law enforcement, military installations and hospitals, are teaming up to help local families and prevent child abuse. One such group is the 211 information and referral service provided through the Pikes Peak United Way.

"People can call to get basic help with health and human services," Michelle Milner, director of 211, said.

Employees connect callers with agencies to provide them professional assistance for various needs. From help with utility bills to basic parenting skills, nearly 200 calls are received at the center every day.

"Sometimes they call because they can't get their baby to stop crying," Milner said. "We would rather have them pick up the phone and get connected to professionals rather than taking a chance on hurting their child."

Milner said most calls are for assistance with utility or rent bills, but that helping parents in a moment of crisis to avoid child abuse is a top priority.

"We can connect people with 1-888-4-A-CHILD," Milner said. "At the other end of that line will be certified counselors that can help parents with whatever the issue is at the time."

The Coalition for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (CPCAN) is also a part of the Not One More Child Initiative. Tuesday morning they, along with other agencies, marched from the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) building to the county commissioner's meeting at Centennial Hall to raise awareness. Each person held a blue pinwheel as a symbol of support in the fight against child abuse.

"It's a wonderful symbol for the life we hope every child in our community will have," Trudy Strewler Hodges, executive director of CASA, said. "We want to be a part of the force that stands up for children."

For more information about the 211 service, click here.