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Dakota County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month, highlights prevention programs and racial disparities
Summary
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners unanimously proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month after a presentation from Children and Family Services that emphasized prevention programs, pandemic-era complexity in cases, and racial disparities in out‑of‑home placements.
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners on April 8 unanimously proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month after hearing a presentation from Children and Family Services on prevention efforts and recent trends in child protection.
Children and Family Services Director Nikki Conway and Deputy Director Lawrence Dickens told the board that while overall assessments have dipped since the pandemic, the county has seen an increase in case complexity and out‑of‑home placements. Conway said the department is emphasizing prevention and community partnerships to keep families together and reduce traumatic placements.
Conway described five protective factors that guide the department's prevention work: parental resilience; knowledge of parenting and child development; concrete supports in times of need; social and…
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