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Board proclaims April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in Fresno County
Summary
Supervisors adopted a proclamation recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard presentations on prevention strategies and regional partnerships.
The Fresno County Board of Supervisors on March 25 proclaimed April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. County Department of Social Services staff and community partners presented the county’s prevention theme, "It Takes a Village," and outlined local efforts.
Sonya Bouquet of the Department of Social Services introduced Deputy Director Kimberly Smith, Chief of Child Welfare Roy McBurdy and representatives from partner organizations including Esther Franco, Executive Director of the Fresno Council on Child Abuse Prevention (FCAP). Bouquet described programs and partnerships such as voluntary family maintenance, differential response, home visitation, celebrating families and school‑based behavioral health linkages.
Kimberly Smith said that in 2024 the county’s child welfare hotline received 15,997 calls and investigated 6,575 allegations; more than 60% of investigations were for general neglect. Speakers emphasized that mental‑health instability, exposure to household violence and substance abuse are significant contributing factors. Esther Franco described FCAP’s statewide role in mandated reporter training and primary prevention, and announced an April 12 convening at Sunnyside Country Club.
The board voted to approve the proclamation by voice vote. Supervisors thanked staff and community partners for their prevention work and noted an upcoming report from the foster youth oversight committee.
Why it matters: The proclamation highlights county prevention efforts and public‑private partnerships intended to reduce child abuse and neglect through early intervention, training and community supports.
Speakers included Sonya Bouquet (Department of Social Services), Deputy Director Kimberly Smith, Roy McBurdy (Child Welfare Chief), and Esther Franco (Executive Director, Fresno Council on Child Abuse Prevention).
