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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 18, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-b <br /> SUBJECT: Child Abuse Prevention Month Proclamation <br /> DEPARTMENT: Social Services <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proclamation Lindsey Shewmaker, 919-245-2817 <br /> Brittany Mann, 919-245-2746 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. <br /> BACKGROUND: April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Department of Social <br /> Services (DSS) and other community organizations are concerned about the continued incidence <br /> of child abuse and neglect in Orange County and in the state of North Carolina. In Fiscal Year <br /> 2023-2024, 574 reports of suspected child maltreatment were assessed in Orange County. For <br /> the state of North Carolina, there were 58,419 reports assessed within the same period. Currently, <br /> 61 children are in the custody of Orange County Social Services due to serious abuse and neglect <br /> issues within their families. As of December 2024, there were 10,899 children in the custody of <br /> social services across the state. <br /> Most child abuse and neglect issues reported to Social Services involve substance use, domestic <br /> violence, unsafe discipline, supervision, or care of children. Social Services is working to increase <br /> education and awareness of these issues and to identify strategies to improve the safety of <br /> children in the community. <br /> Community members can make a difference in the life of a child by making connections. Lending <br /> a helping hand or listening ear to a parenting neighbor or friend can help alleviate stress and <br /> provide a positive impact on a child's life. Increasing social connection and providing concrete <br /> support are integral protective factors. <br /> Parents, grandparents, and family members can ensure children are safe in their care by properly <br /> securing the firearms and ensuring all medications or potentially harmful substances are <br /> inaccessible to children. <br /> DSS encourages all individuals to "Wear Blue" on Friday, April 4, 2025, to kick off Child Abuse <br /> Prevention Month. Social Services is planning to provide awareness materials to community <br /> members at the Sportsplex Family Fun Day on April 5, 2025. <br />