Yamhill County proclaims April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month

The Yamhill County Board of Commissioners on April 10 unanimously adopted Resolution 24 25-04-10-1 recognizing April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

The resolution, read into the record by the chair, formalizes the county's recognition of local prevention efforts and public awareness activities promoted by Juliet's House and partner organizations. Russell Marks of Juliet's House presented to the board and described planned events and goals for the month.

Marks told commissioners that Juliet's House has participated in Child Abuse Prevention Month each year since the organization opened in 1997 and described the 2025 theme as "Hope grows here." He said the countywide calendar includes trainings, a marble hunt across communities, local groups selling and wearing themed T-shirts, and weekly' "Wear Blue" days on Fridays to show support. "We are very, very grateful for the support that this county gives all the amazing organizations and faith communities that come together all for the sake of children," Marks said.

The chair read statistics included in the resolution: 64,000 contacts were made to the Oregon Child Abuse Hotline in 2023; 45,208 assigned reports were received for CPS assessment; 7,861 completed CPS assessments were founded and involved 11,191 victims. The resolution calls on county citizens to learn how to prevent, recognize and report child abuse and directs residents to Juliet's House for resources, noting the group's website, www.julietshouse.org, as a community resource.

Commissioners voted "aye" unanimously on the proclamation. The resolution is a formal recognition and does not create or change county policy, according to staff presentation.

The board encouraged community members to participate in awareness activities and to wear blue on Fridays in April as a public statement supporting child abuse prevention.