Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - City Council recognized the month of April 2022 as "Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month" in the City of South Lake Tahoe during its meeting Tuesday.

Pictured above accepting the Proclamation: Deanna Santana, MA, El Dorado County Child Abuse Prevention Council coordinator, El Dorado County Office of Education; South Lake Tahoe Mayor Devin Middlebrook; Tammy Chako, deputy director of Child Welfare Services, El Dorado County Health & Human Services Agency; Chelcee Thomas, executive director, Live Violence Free; Mario Guerrero, CASA El Dorado; and Joel Grgich, El Dorado County Probation.

The proclamation reads:

Whereas, Preventing child abuse and neglect means strengthening families so that their children can thrive; and

Whereas, 2,365 reports of abuse and/or neglect were made to El Dorado County Child Protective Services in 2021, of which 226 were investigated and found to be substantiated; and

Whereas, In 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 143 children in California died as a result of child abuse and neglect, including children in our own county; and

Whereas, Children who have been abused or neglected have a higher risk of developing various health problems as adults, including alcoholism, depression, drug abuse, eating disorders, obesity, suicide, early death, and
certain chronic diseases; and

Whereas, California's children deserve to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment free from fear, abuse, and neglect; and

Whereas, in the City of South Lake Tahoe, children are victims of one, or perhaps several types of child abuse each year; and

Whereas, The El Dorado County Child Abuse Prevention Council seeks to elevate the message of our community recognizing and reporting suspected child abuse to protect all children in El Dorado County; and

Whereas, Live Violence Free has led the way in South Lake Tahoe in addressing child abuse by providing 24-hour hotline services to victim/survivors and their significant others, responding to emergency calls, providing child abuse prevention presentations, community trainings, and empowering those impacted by child abuse to chart their own course for healing; and

Whereas, Child abuse and neglect have long-term economic and societal costs; and

Whereas, Providing community-based prevention services to families whose children may be at risk of child abuse or neglect is less costly than addressing the emotional and physical damage that can result from child
abuse and neglect; and

Whereas, Providing community-based prevention services to those families can help avoid the costs of protective services, law enforcement, the judicial system, foster care, and the treatment of adults recovering from abuse as children; and

Whereas, Pinwheels are displayed to increase the awareness of child abuse and to focus on the positive message of preventing child abuse and neglect by supporting families and strengthening communities during Child Abuse
Prevention Month.

Now, therefore, the City Council of the City of South Lake Tahoe does hereby proclaim the month of April 2022 as "Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month" in the City of South Lake Tahoe, so that community awareness and participation in violence prevention may be encouraged.