Editor’s Note: following is a proclamation approved by the Polk County Board of Commissioners in recognition of April being child abuse and neglect prevention month. The proclamation was presented by Ruth Richardson, Community Child Fatality Prevention & Protection Team chair and Lou Parton, Polk County Department of Social Services director. Richardson also announced a training event scheduled at ICC-Polk on April 24 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. that is open to the community. 

Whereas, preventing child abuse and neglect is a community problem affecting both the current and future quality of life in Polk County;

Whereas, nearly 130,000 children in North Carolina are reported as abused or neglected every year, approximately 250 of those each year are reported from Polk County; and

Whereas, every child is entitled to be loved, cared for, secure and safe. It is the responsibility of our communities to promote every child’s right to a safe, happy and healthy environment; and

Whereas, child abuse prevention is a community responsibility and finding solutions depends on involvement among all people; and

Whereas, we must make every effort to promote programs that benefit children and their families through education and awareness; and

Whereas, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships among agencies, schools, religious organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and

Whereas, child abuse and neglect not only cause immediate harm to children, but also can increase the likelihood of criminal behavior, substance abuse, health problems and risky behavior;

Whereas, all citizens should become involved to provide safe, nurturing environments for children in all areas of their lives ­– at home, in school, and in the community – offering them the opportunity to grow up to be caring, contributing members of the community;

Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Polk County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim April 2015 as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, and calls upon all Polk County citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and neglect, and strengthening the community in which we live.