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Dane County designates April as Child Abuse Prevention Month; speakers press for coordinated prevention and services
Summary
The board adopted Resolution 3-94 recognizing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. County and community representatives described rising needs, cited 2023 local reporting statistics, and urged sustained funding and cross-agency coordination for prevention and recovery services.
The Dane County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution 3-94 recognizing April 2025 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and urged continued community investment in prevention and family supports.
The resolution, moved by Supervisor Jackson and seconded by Supervisor Wegleitner, highlights prevention programs, home visiting, family-strengthening policies and partnerships among child-welfare professionals, educators, healthcare providers and law enforcement.
Why it matters: presenters said childhood trauma and abuse have long-term effects and that adequate prevention funding and cross-agency coordination reduce future harm. County data cited in the resolution shows 1,280 reports of abuse or neglect to child protective services in Dane County in 2023 — about 11.6 incident reports per 1,000 children.
Cheryl Kato, executive director of Rainbow Project, urged the board to maintain a child-abuse and neglect task force to coordinate prevention, early intervention and trauma-recovery services. Kato said services remain strained by COVID-era impacts, childcare and workforce shortages and rising community violence.
Lieutenant Justine Harris, who oversees the City of Madison Police Department’s Special Victims Unit, said the unit investigated more than 400 reports of crimes against children last year and that policing is only one part of a broader care network. "It is something that I have found... people do not want to hear about what's going on in our own community," Harris said, thanking the board for acknowledgment and support of interagency work.
Supervisor Kemp and other board members acknowledged gaps in the child-serving system, including cases in which local resources were insufficient and placements were made out of county. A supervisor who has served as a CASA volunteer described long-term volunteer commitment to individual children and urged stronger local supports to avoid costly out-of-county placements.
The resolution calls on Dane County to increase awareness, support prevention initiatives and continue partnerships across county departments and community organizations. The motion carried by voice vote after remarks and two public speakers; the record shows it was moved by Jackson and seconded by Wegleitner and approved as presented.
Ending: Board members and community partners emphasized prevention, cross-agency coordination and funding stability for services that support children and families.
