HomeMy WebLinkAboutChild Abuse Prevention Month ProclamationDeschutes County Board of Commissioners
1300 NW Wall St., Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960
(541) 388-6570 -Fax (541) 385-3202 -www.deschutes.org
AGENDA REQUEST & STAFF REPORT
For Board Business Meeting of April 3,2013
Please see directions for completing this document on the next page.
DATE: February 20,2013
FROM: Sarah Peterson Children & Families Commission 322-7461
TITLE OF AGENDA ITEM:
Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation
PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS DATE? No
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to raise awareness about child abuse and
neglect and encourage individuals and communities to support children and families. This proclamation
will designate April 20 13 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Deschutes County. The Board of
County Commissioners has been designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month since 2002.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
RECOMMENDATION & ACTION REQUESTED:
Proclaim April 2013 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Deschutes County.
ATTENDANCE: Sarah Peterson, Children & Families Commission; Shelly Smith, Executive
Director, KIDS Center; Kim Bohme, Prevention & Education Coordinator, KIDS Center
DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS:
Please send the originals to Sarah Peterson, Community Project Coordinator, Deschutes County
Children & Families Commission, 1130 NW Harriman, Suite A, Bend, OR, 97701
For Recording Stamp Only
BEFORE THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF DESCHUTES COUNTY, OREGON
A Proclamation Declaring April 2013 to be Child Abuse Prevention Month
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, there were nearly 2,500 reports of child abuse and neglect in
Central Oregon last year; and
WHEREAS, we all have a responsibility, as individuals, neighbors,
community members and citizens of Central Oregon to help create healthy, safe,
nurturing experiences for children; and
WHEREAS, safe and healthy childhoods help produce confident and
successful adults; and
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect often occur when people find
themselves in stressful situations, without community resources, and don’t know
how to cope; and
WHEREAS, the majority of child abuse and neglect cases stem from
situations and conditions that are preventable with the support of an engaged
community; and
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure that
families have the support and access to services they need to raise their children in
a healthy environment; and
WHEREAS; child abuse and neglect not only directly harm children, but the
trauma can also increase the likelihood of criminal behavior, substance abuse,
health problems such as heart disease and obesity, and poor academic outcomes;
and
WHEREAS; effective prevention programs succeed because of partnerships
among agencies, schools, faith communities, philanthropic and civic organizations,
law enforcement agencies, and the business community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Deschutes County Board
of Commissioners does hereby proclaim April 2013 to be Child Abuse Prevention
Month in Deschutes County and we urge all citizens to work together to make sure
every family has the support they need and deserve to raise their children in a
healthy environment.
DATED this 3rd Day of April 2013 by the Deschutes County Board of
Commissioners.
_____________________________
ALAN UNGER, Chair
_____________________________
TAMY BANEY, Vice Chair
_____________________________
ANTHONY DEBONE, Commissioner
ATTEST:
______________________
Recording Secretary