Heath mayor proclaims April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month; local advocacy groups recognized

Mayor Jeremiah McClure proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Heath and praised local organizations that provide services and prevention efforts for children and families.

“Children thrive in safe, stable, nurturing families within their own communities,” McClure said while presenting the proclamation. He named the Children's Advocacy Center for Rockwall County, Empower, Lone Star CASA, the Rockwall County Department of Family and Protective Services and the Rainbow Room as local partners.

A representative identified as Patricia from the Children's Advocacy Center told the council that the center has provided full services in Rockwall County for seven years, offers forensic interviews, family advocacy and trauma-informed counseling, and that services are offered free of charge. “Children that come to the Children's Advocacy Center are seen in a facility that is safe, secure, confidential, and child friendly,” Patricia said.

Tosh, representing Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), described volunteers’ role in representing children’s best interests in foster-care cases and said volunteers traveled roughly 64,000 miles last fiscal year to support children placed across Texas and Arkansas.

Jerry Welch, director of the Rainbow Room, said the organization provides immediate basic needs such as clothing and formula when children are removed from homes. “When they're pulled out of a home, it's the clothes on their back and that's it,” Welch said.

The mayor and council thanked the organizations and encouraged residents to learn about local resources and prevention efforts. The proclamation directs the city to recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and encourages public awareness of local services.