Social‑services staff brief supervisors; board proclaims April child‑abuse prevention month

Representatives of the Fluvanna County Department of Social Services briefed the Board of Supervisors on child‑abuse prevention work and case statistics during the April 16 meeting and the board voted to proclaim April 2025 as Celebrating Children Month in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Rocky Reed, identified as a CPS prevention and protection supervisor at Fluvanna County Department of Social Services, presented fiscal‑year 2023–24 referral and caseload figures drawn from the state database. Reed reported the department received 644 referrals during the year; 144 were accepted for response, 108 family assessments were conducted and 28 investigations were opened. Reed described the department’s prevention focus and services—mentoring, in‑home supports, family‑support referrals, and crisis assistance including dumpsters or other one‑time financial help to improve home safety—and invited the public to a free children’s resource fair on April 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Carysborough.

After the presentation the board approved a proclamation designating April 2025 as Celebrating Children Month. The motion carried on a voice vote (chair announced unanimous approval).

Why it matters: Social‑services staff said the goal of prevention work is to avoid out‑of‑home placements, keep families safely together and connect families with supports; the proclamation recognizes prevention staff and raises public awareness of referral resources.