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Special recognition honoring April 2022 as National Child Abuse Prevention (Blue Kids Lake County) Month.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, National Child Abuse Prevention Month is recognized throughout the United States as well as 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) serves over 2,000 youth seeking safety and healing from the abuse they have suffered with the assistance of the Multi- Disciplinary Team which is composed of Lake County Police Departments, the Department of Children and Family Services, Lake County Assistant State’s Attorneys, Lake County Health Department Mental Health Providers, hospital personnel, LCCAC Victim Advocates, and Forensic Interviewers; and
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is an initiative that relies on community partnership and effective child abuse collaborative efforts which are successful because of the support among state and local government agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies and the business community; and
WHEREAS, in 2011, the Blue Kids program, created under the 19th Judicial Coordinating Council, was adopted in 2017 as a LCCAC program to create awareness, educate youth, and encourage education and community partnership, through the creation and display of Blue Kids signs, educational materials and community displays across the county throughout the month of April; and
WHEREAS, many social service organizations in Lake County as well as park districts, exchange and rotary clubs, municipal and civic organizations, local businesses, police departments, and private residents have partnered with the Blue Kids Program to prevent child abuse; and
WHEREAS, in 2022 there are 100 community partners joining forces with the LCCAC to keep every child safe and every community aware by promoting its’ existence, 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 12, 2022.