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Special Recognition honoring April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention (Blue Kids Lake County) Month.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized yearly in Lake County to emphasize the importance of communities working together to recognize, prevent, and educate others on child abuse; and
WHEREAS, each year the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center (LCCAC) conducts close to 1,000 forensic interviews and serves over 2,000 families and children who are seeking safety and healing from the abuse they have suffered; and
WHEREAS, their Multi-Disciplinary Team is composed of police departments from across the county, the Department of Children and Family Services, Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office personnel, Lake County Health Department Mental Health Providers, hospital personnel, LCCAC Victim Advocates, and Forensic Interviewers, who work together to coordinate case planning; and
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is an initiative that relies on community partnerships, and the successful efforts that limit child abuse are effective thanks to the coordination between state and local government agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center Blue Kids Program was designed to create awareness, educate youth, and encourage community partnership through the creation and display of Blue Kids signs, pinwheels, educational materials, and partnership exhibits across the county throughout the month of April; and
WHEREAS, many social service organizations in Lake County, including park districts, schools, exchange and rotary clubs, municipal and civic organizations, local businesses, police departments, and private residents, have partnered with the Blue Kids Program to give children a voice; and
WHEREAS, over 100 community partners throughout Lake County are joining forces with the LCCAC to make communities aware of this prevalent issue by encouraging youth to come forward and educate one another.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that National Child Abuse Prevention Month is a reminder of the ongoing efforts by those who work to support children and strengthen families; and
BE IT FURTHER RECOGNIZED, that the Lake County Board does hereby thank the Lake County Children’s Advocacy Center and the Blue Kids Program for their work to prevent child abuse, and urges all residents to take an active role in supporting children and parents to create safer and healthier communities.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on April 8, 2025.