Lake Wales proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; Heartland for Children urges more foster homes

Mayor Jack Hilligoss read a proclamation declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Lake Wales and recognized Heartland for Children, the community-based care lead agency for the Department of Children and Families.

Shauna Butler, director of community relations for Heartland for Children, told the commission the group’s “Pinwheels for Prevention” campaign uses “a simple child toy, a blue and silver pinwheel … to remind us of happy and healthy childhoods that all children deserve, and to remind us that everyone plays a vital role in keeping children safe.” Butler said Heartland is working with local partners and asked that citizens display pinwheels and raise awareness.

Butler gave the commission several local figures as presented: “The total number of children with open child welfare cases in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties as of February 2025 is 1,728,” she said. She reported 589 children were removed from homes in the tri-county area in fiscal year 2023–24 and said Polk County currently has 162 foster homes and “we are in need of 50 more foster homes” to meet demand. Butler pointed commissioners and residents to Heartland for Children’s website and Heart Gallery for adoption information.

The commission accepted the proclamation as a ceremonial item; the transcript records no formal vote on the proclamation.