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4 <br /> 1 WHEREAS, child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that <br /> 2 have lasting consequences for victims of abuse; and <br /> 3 <br /> 4 WHEREAS, children who are loved and nurtured grow up to be healthy, creative, and productive <br /> 5 community members; and <br /> 6 <br /> 7 WHEREAS, it is the goal of Orange County to improve the quality of life of all children who live <br /> 8 here; and <br /> 9 <br /> 10 WHEREAS, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness <br /> 11 about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and <br /> 12 families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; <br /> 13 <br /> 14 NOW, THEREFORE do we, the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County, North <br /> 15 Carolina, hereby proclaim April 2026 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" and call upon all <br /> 16 residents to join together to prevent child abuse. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 THIS IS THE 17th DAY OF MARCH, 2026. <br /> 19 <br /> 20 <br /> 21 <br /> 22 Jean Hamilton, Chair <br /> 23 Orange County Board of Commissioners <br /> 24 <br /> 25 A motion was made by Commissioner Greene, seconded by Commissioner McKee, to <br /> 26 approve and authorize the Chair to sign the proclamation declaring April 2026 as Child Abuse <br /> 27 Prevention Month in Orange County. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br /> 30 <br /> 31 b. Department of Social Services Protective Services Overview Presentation <br /> 32 The Board received an overview presentation on protective services, specifically Child Protective <br /> 33 Services and Adult Protective Services, from Orange County Department of Social Services'staff. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 BACKGROUND: Protective services in North Carolina includes Child Protective Services and <br /> 36 Adult Protective Services and are managed by local county Departments of Social Services with <br /> 37 support and supervision provided by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human <br /> 38 Services. Child Protective Services investigates abuse, neglect, and dependency of children <br /> 39 under age 18, while Adult Protective Services protects disabled adults, age 18 and above, from <br /> 40 abuse, neglect, and exploitation. These are mandated services under North Carolina General <br /> 41 Statute (NCGS) 7B for Child Protective Services, and NCGS 108A, Article 6 for Adult Protective <br /> 42 Services, and are governed by a combination of State and federal law and policy. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 In fiscal year 2024-25, the Orange County Department of Social Services investigated 526 reports <br /> 45 of suspected child maltreatment. During the same time, the Department also evaluated 156 <br /> 46 reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of disabled adults. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 The Department of Social Services works with community partners and stakeholders to assess <br /> 49 and investigate reports and intervenes when appropriate to provide services and safety plans. <br /> 50 The attached presentation provides a basic overview of the processes involved with Child <br />