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Child Abuse Prevention
Month |
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PROCLAMATION WHEREAS, child abuse is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community; WHEREAS, approximately 3 million children are reported abused and neglected in this country each year. Most physical abuse or neglect occur among children under the age of two, during a critical period of brain development; WHEREAS, Clallam County over the last nine years has had a tendency to have a higher rate of children in foster care and a higher rate of child abuse referrals than the State overall. Clallam County has been very successful in reuniting families and has a unification rater higher than the State average; WHEREAS, the effects of child abuse are felt by whole communities, and need to be addressed by the entire community; WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community; WHEREAS, the primary factor for child abuse and neglect in Clallam County is substance abuse, particularly methamphetamine; WHEREAS, there has been significant collaboration between treatment providers in the Child Protective System for family members to receive chemical dependency treatment that has led the return of children to their homes; WHEREAS, all citizens should become more aware of the negative effects of child abuse and its prevention within the community, and become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe, nurturing environment; NOW, THEREFORE, we the Clallam County Board of Commissioners, hereby proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Clallam County and call upon all citizens, community agencies, organizations, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live. Board of Clallam County Commissioners Howard V. Doherty, Chair Dated: April 2, 2002 |
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