Joint Board Matter with Chairman Bulova
April 7, 2015

April as Child Abuse Awareness Month

Madame Chairman:

April is a time to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse. Every year more than 3 million reports of child abuse are made in the United States involving more than 6 million children. Here at home in Fairfax County, the CPS Hotline received 18,376 calls last year. 

The majority of child abuse cases stem from situations and conditions that are preventable when community programs and systems are engaged and supportive. A community that cares about early childhood development, parental support, and maternal mental health, is more likely to foster nurturing families and healthy children. And Fairfax County is that type of a community.

Without objection, I ask that we declare April as Child Abuse Awareness Month in Fairfax County. I would further ask that we recognize the dedication and work of three great organizations, Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and SafeSpot Children’s Advocacy Center of Fairfax County.