Brook Park council declares April Child Abuse Prevention Month after Canopy Child Advocacy Center presentation

Brook Park City Council on Tuesday adopted a resolution declaring April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month after hearing from a representative of Canopy Child Advocacy Center and a short question-and-answer exchange with council members.

The Canopy representative described the nonprofit’s multidisciplinary services for children and families who are victims of abuse and neglect, including forensic interviews, evidence-based trauma therapy and advocacy. She said Canopy is based at 2806 Payne Avenue in Cleveland and that in 2024 the Cuyahoga County child-abuse hotline received nearly 20,000 calls; Canopy served more than 600 children last year, more than 500 of them as new clients. The speaker also said the center operates a medical suite staffed five days a week and partners with Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital for pediatric expertise.

Nut graf: Council formally endorsed the observance and signaled support for local awareness and referral partnerships. Council members asked about Canopy’s outreach, the age range served and how referrals are routed; the Canopy representative said the center starts assisting if invited by law enforcement, children services or other mandated reporters, and emphasized Canopy does not conduct investigations — that responsibility remains with police and county children services.

What council did

Council passed the resolution declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and declaring an emergency so the proclamation could be issued promptly. The council vote followed a short motion to place the resolution on the agenda and then to adopt; roll calls recorded affirmative votes. Council members also asked about Canopy’s “pinwheel” awareness program and how local police and schools can sign memoranda of understanding to improve referrals.

Key details from Canopy’s presentation

- Location and services: Canopy Child Advocacy Center, 2806 Payne Avenue, Cleveland; forensic interviews, trauma therapy, advocacy services and a medical suite with two forensic nurses and access to a child abuse pediatrician. - 2024 activity: the county child-abuse hotline handled nearly 20,000 calls; Canopy served about 600 children and provided more than 4,000 episodes of services. - Contact information provided at council: (216) 574-4325 and canopycac.org.

Why it matters

The proclamation is symbolic and aimed at increasing local awareness and coordination between Brook Park agencies, schools and police and a regional advocacy center. Council members pressed for written memoranda of understanding and clearer referral pathways so first responders, hospitals and schools know when and how to contact Canopy without duplicating mandated reporting to county children services.

Ending

Council members expressed unanimous support for the resolution and interest in increased local participation in the April “pinwheel” awareness program; staff and Canopy agreed to follow up about reaching out to the Brook Park Police Department and local schools about memoranda of understanding.