OKEECHOBEE – At their April 13 meeting, the Okeechobee County Board of Commissioners declared April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

A proclamation was requested by Suzy Hutchesen and Carolyn Moses of Helping People Succeed/Healthy Families.

In the proclamation, commissioners noted, “Strong families create strong communities and strong futures. Children are our most valuable resource, and will shape the future of Okeechobee County’s success, prosperity, and quality of life.

“The federal fiscal year of 2021, showed 3.9 million reports were made to child protective services; proving child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone,” the proclamation continued.

“Child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims of abuse.

“Helping People Succeed through our Healthy Families Okeechobee program is committed to providing protective factors and conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being of children.

“Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families.

“Communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families, in order to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. This prevention remains the best defense for our children and families."