Blue Vanna County Board proclaims April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month

Fluvanna County is taking significant steps to address child welfare as the Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 2025 as "Celebrating Children Month" in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. This resolution, presented during the April 16 meeting, highlights the county's commitment to preventing child abuse and supporting families in need.

Rocky Reed, a supervisor from the Blue Ridge County Department of Social Services, provided a detailed overview of the current state of child protective services (CPS) in the county. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, Fluvanna County received 644 referrals related to child abuse, with 144 of those leading to accepted cases. Reed emphasized the importance of thorough assessments and investigations, noting that 28 investigations were conducted in collaboration with law enforcement.

The goal of the county's prevention services is to reduce the occurrence of child abuse and neglect, keeping children safely at home with their families whenever possible. Reed explained that the department offers various support services, including mentoring and financial assistance, to help families address challenges and improve their situations.

In conjunction with the proclamation, Reed invited the community to participate in the upcoming "Celebrating Children's Fair" on April 26, a free event aimed at connecting families with resources and services available in Fluvanna County. The fair will feature activities for all ages and provide valuable information on child welfare services.

The Board of Supervisors expressed their support for the initiatives presented, reinforcing the importance of community involvement in safeguarding children and promoting family stability. As the month unfolds, the county aims to raise awareness about child abuse prevention and encourage residents to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities.