According to Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Children’s Division Management Report, from May 2009 through April 2010 there were 18 confirmed or substantiated cases of child abuse in Douglas County. That averages more than one case per month.
Many more cases were reported but could not, for whatever reason, be confirmed. Please also keep in mind, “cases” may include more than one child.
The Douglas County Health Department is committed to helping future generations succeed. They are focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of all children.
For that reason, they are partnering with federal, state, and local agencies to better coordinate early childhood services and improve the lives of young children and their families.
A Child Abuse Awareness “Go Blue” Pinwheel Garden will be “planted” by children from the Ava Elementary School, Friday, April 15, on the Ava City Square at 2 o’clock. In addition, students from Sarah Lemons’ Ava High School art class will be providing a special art project for the occasion.
All Ava and Douglas County residents are invited and encouraged to come and participate in the event.
Douglas County Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke and associate commissioners Richard Mitchell and Danny Dry signed a proclamation this week designating the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Douglas County.
Our children are our most valuable resource, and they need our support to thrive and grow into healthy, productive adults. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. During this time we renew our unwavering commitment to protecting children and responding to child abuse, promoting healthy families, thus ensuring a brighter future for all residents of Douglas County.
Every child deserves a nurturing family and a safe environment, free from fear, abuse, and neglect. Tragically, sexual, emotional, and physical abuse threatens too many children every day in communities in our county and across our state. Parents, guardians, relatives, and neighbors all share a responsibility to prevent these devastating crimes, our local, state and federal government plays a critical role as well. No one is free of the responsibility of protecting children.
Together, we can ensure that every child grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment, free from abuse and neglect.
In honor of Child Abuse Awareness, everyone is urged to wear something blue on Friday, April 15
