April is Child Abuse Prevention month in Texas and in the nation. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services nearly 200,000 Texas children are reported as abused or neglected every year. It’s a time to focus on ways not only to protect children but also to prevent abuse from ever occurring.
Neglect is the most frequent form of child abuse. Yes, children die simply because they are put in situations where they are not supervised.
We all know that law enforcement cannot prevent all crime. We cannot expect the state’s Child Protective Services to stop all child abuse and neglect. In fact, in the majority of the most tragic cases of child abuse—those in which a child died—Child Protective Services had no opportunity to impact the safety of the child at risk. Maybe it was a situation that people outside the family couldn’t see. Possibly the child’s parent didn’t realize that their own action, or lack thereof, put their child’s life at risk. We all have to recognize neglect and not walk away from it.
Parents, grandparents and relatives are not alone. Information and support is available to make communities strong and safe. The Web site www.itsuptoyou.org contains a wealth of information on how to prevent child abuse, where to go to get help with parenting skills, and what to do if you suspect a child is in danger.
Additionally, volunteers from the Brown County Child Welfare Board will be at Heartland Mall on Saturday, April 16th -12p.m. to 3 p.m. sharing information. KOXE 101.3 FM will be broadcasting live providing prevention awareness and helping raise donations by selling “Raindrops” for $1.00 the Child Welfare Board’s emergency resource room. This resource room is the “Rainbow Room” located in the Child Protective Services office at 2400 Crockett Drive where CPS caseworkers can get emergency resources for children who have been victims of abuse or neglect. Caseworkers have access to “New” children’s clothing and pajamas for ages Birth to 18 years, baby formula, diapers, baby wipes, toys, children’s books, and many other necessary items. 100% of every donated dollar goes directly to the children.
The Rainbow Room motto is, “Abused and neglected children do not deserve abused and neglected things.” You can be a ray of hope to these children. Your donation is tax deductible. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Child Welfare Board at P.O. Box 836, Brownwood, TX 76804, earmarked for the Rainbow Room. Contact any Child Welfare Board Member or Roberta Duncan at your local Child Protective Services office for more information.
Sincerely,
Brown County Child Welfare Board – Kitty Cavanaugh, Rhonda Roark, Judy Spivey, Sherry Clark, Susan Gilger, Kay Wilson, Paul Coghlan, Terry Blagg, Cotton Wood, Benita Pipes, Jessie Austin, Sherri Ornelas, and Amber Kissner.
Pictured is the Brown County Child Welfare Board at Commissioner’s Court after a Proclamation of April being Child Abuse Prevention Month was approved. Photo contributed.
