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Special Recognition honoring April 2026 as National Child Abuse Prevention (Blue Kids Lake County) Month.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month is observed 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 seeking support and healing from the abuse they’ve 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, Mental Health Therapists, Medical Personnel, LCCAC Victim Advocates, and Forensic Interviewers, who work together to coordinate the safety and well-being of a child; and
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is work that relies on community partnerships, and the coordination between state and local government agencies is necessary for efforts to be effective in limiting child abuse; 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, several community partners across the county are also 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 14, 2026.