County Executive and Board of Commissioners declare month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month

Child maltreatment is a national tragedy, cutting across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries and endangering our most precious resource and greatest responsibility, our children. It is disturbing to note that approximately three million children are reported abused and neglected in this country each year and in Bay County alone, over 3,206 cases of child abuse were reported in 2014 up from 2,709 cases in 2013. Children have the right to be safe in their own homes and to be provided every opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive; child abuse violates a child's dignity, security, vulnerability, and humanity.

We can all join together as individuals, organizations, and government agencies to prevent child abuse in Michigan by providing education, skills training, and support by raising awareness of relevant topics, including child development, basic-care skills, discipline strategies, and goal-setting for parents. By strengthening families and providing safe stable, and nurturing environments that are free from violence, abuse, and neglect, opportunities are created for the optimal growth and success of children, ensuring a secure future for our communities where the needs of children are a priority and the needs of families are met.

The Bay County Board of Commissioners and the Executive Tom Hickner hereby designate the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Bay County and call upon all Bay County citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in supporting families with the goal of preventing child abuse, maltreatment, abuse and neglect. The Bay County Board of Commissioners and County Executive urge full support of the CAN Council mission "to build communities where children are free from abuse and neglect."