Travis County Commssioners Court
March 30, 2004
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Item 4
Number four is to approve resolution recognizing the month of April, 2004 as child abuse prevention month in Travis County. Whereas if society is judged by how it protects its most vulnerable members and no group of children is immune from potential child abuse or neglect, every child has a right to live in good health, grow and learn in a safe environment, receive care and protection and develop a positive self-image, whereas for the fiscal year 2002, more than 7,000 cases of child abuse or neglect were reported in Travis County, nearly 1500 were confirmed, and each incident of child abuse costs an estimated $75,000. Whereas Travis County has the third highest rate of confirmed victims of child abuse and neglect in the state of Texas, with 7.4 per 1,000 in fiscal year 2001. Whereas the goal of child abuse prevention is simple, to stop child abuse and neglect from happening in the first place, sparing children and families emotional and physical trauma and decreasing the need for costly intervention and treatment service. Whereas the best way to prevent child abuse and neglect is to support families and support and -- and provide parents with the skills and resources they need. Whereas the president and the united states department of health and human services children's bureau office on child abuse and neglect recognized 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 with child advocates and the Travis County children's protective services board to raise the issue 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 and 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 success and development. Together as a chunt we can truly 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. And my office did not draft this resolution.
>> thank you.
>> therefore I move approval.
>> second.
>> good morning. I’m laura atkins with the children's offices positive health and human services. And anita douglas, who is the current chair for the children protective services board, had an emergency that called her away, so I know she wanted me just to share a couple of thing. One is that this couldn't be more timely. Last month, month of February, we had one of the worst months in Travis County in terms of findings of abuse and neglect. For some reason we had a tremendous spike in our investigations. And so again issue against again is ever more important as it is every year and it's an opportunity for the month of April for people to come together and really look at ways that we can support children, and I know she also wanted me to share how much the board has appreciated the leadership of this court in really supporting intervention for the well-being and safety of our most vulnerable children for abused and neglected children. And I guess the last thing I want to share is that on Thursday, which is April 1st, which is the first day of the child abuse prevention month, there's going to be a kickoff event right over here by the courthouse at the park on guadalupe called lights of hope. It's being sponsored by the center for child protection. And many of the child serving agencies in our community collaboratively to light candles again on behalf of the many children in this community that have been abused and neglected and to try and raise awareness within the community to look at ways that we can all intervene for our children and prevent further abuse and neglect. To the community is all invited to come to that. It's at 5:30 on Thursday evening.
>> where is it located?
>> it's at the park right here on guadalupe and eighth street. Wooldridge park. Thank you all.
>> all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. And will you take this beautiful resolution to them?
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 31, 2004 10:27 AM