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Special Recognition honoring April 2023 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, emphasizing 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. The Multi- Disciplinary Team which is composed of Lake County Police Departments, 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 are the core of the coordinated case planning; and
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is an initiative that relies on community partnership and effective child abuse collaborative efforts which are only successful because of coordinated state and local government agency responses; 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, in 2023 there are over 90 community partners joining forces with the LCCAC to make communities aware of this prevalent issue by encouraging youth to come forward, and educating 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 Blue Kids for its work to prevent child abuse and urges all residents to take an active role in supporting children and parents in creating safer and healthier communities.
DATED, at Waukegan, Illinois, on April 11, 2023.