Douglas County proclaims April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Board of Douglas County Commissioners convened on April 8, 2025, to address several key agenda items, with a significant focus on community welfare and child protection.

The meeting commenced with a resolution proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Nicole Adams, Assistant Director of Protection Programs from Human Services, introduced the topic, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children in Douglas County. Julie Patel, the Protection Program Manager, presented the resolution, highlighting the serious issue of child abuse and neglect that affects every segment of the community.

Patel noted that in 2024, Douglas County Human Services received 4,577 reports to its child abuse and neglect hotline, underscoring the urgent need for community involvement in prevention efforts. The resolution called for partnerships among various stakeholders, including human services, schools, mental health agencies, law enforcement, and the business community, to address this critical issue.

The proclamation urged all citizens to become more aware of child abuse prevention and to support families in raising children in healthy environments. The Board unanimously approved the resolution, officially designating April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Douglas County.

The meeting concluded with no further discussions on this topic, marking a significant step towards community engagement in child welfare initiatives. The Board encouraged ongoing collaboration to reduce child abuse and neglect in the future.