Travis County Commssioners Court
April 1, 2003
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Item 4
Number 4 is to approve resolution recognizing the month of April, 2003 as child abuse prevention month. In Travis County.
>> the resolution reads: whereas a society is judged by how it protects its most valuable members, need for -- every child has a right to live in good health, learn and grow in safe environment, receive care and protection and develop a positive self image. Whereas for the fiscal year 2001, more than 100,000 cases of child abuse or neglect were reported in the state of Texas and nearly 43,000 were confirmed. Whereas Travis County has the second highest rate of confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in the state of Texas with 7.5 per 1,000 in fiscal year 2001. Whereas our entire community should increase its awareness of present-day problems and their effects on children and adults should make the concentrated effort to see through the eyes, listen through the ears, and feel through the hearts of young persons. Whereas the president and u.s. Department of health and human services children's bureau office of child abuse and neglect recognize April as child abuse prevention month. Whereas April's observance of child abuse prevention month is an ideal opportunity for the community to come together and child advocates and the Texas -- for the Travis County children's protective services board to raise the issue and promote the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Whereas Travis County invests in programs that support families by strengthening positive parent-child interaction and healthy child development. Whereas when we provide for our children, we provide for our shared future. Every one of us can play a role in keeping children safe and supporting their successful development. Together as a community, we can surely make a difference. Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the members of the Travis County Commissioners court, do here by proclaim the month of April as child abuse prevention month in Travis County and encourage all residents to raise the issue by wearing a blue ribbon throughout the month of April and to reach out to children and families in our community. I move approval.
>> second.
>> okay. Good morning.
>> good morning, judge, Commissioners. I’m laura atkins the director for the office of children's services for Travis County health and human services. We really appreciate your taking the time this morning to recognize April as child abuse prevention month. As you know, in times of significant economic decline, rates for child abuse and neglect tend to increase. And the government's capacity to respond is more limited because of all of the other variety of needs that come forth during those same times. So it's especially important for the community to be well aware of child abuse and prevention indicators and to step forward and partner on -- on trying to care for our children in a better way. With us today, we have brought our children's protective services board members to accept the resolution. And duane lofton is the chairperson for the child protective services board for Travis Countyment and Ron hubbard is our treasurer on the board as well.
>> good morning, judge.
>> good morning.
>> first of all, I just want to thank you for the resolution recognizing people as -- as -- recognizing April as child abuse prevention month in Travis County. We all know that prevention is one of the most important steps in eliminating child abuse. And the more we can do to -- to get the word out, make people more conscious of it, the more, you know, we can do to -- to resolve the problem. I want to thank you for assisting us this month and recognizing that -- that we need to get the word out on prevention.
>> thank you all.
>> thanks for your help.
>> where might we obtain one of those blue ribbons?
>> you will be provided blue ribbons to our offices this week. We didn't have them with us this morning, I apologize, but we will be delivering them to you.
>> I thought that you had them in your purse. I was trying to hint that this was the time to bring them out. [laughter] we appreciate all you do. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote.
>> thanks, y'all.
>> and Commissioner Daugherty has a beautiful proclamation to give you.
>> we can pull off all of the stick 'ems.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 8, 2003 1:25 PM