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Richmond issues proclamations for Autism Awareness, Child Abuse Prevention Month and Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
Summary
The mayor and county officials issued proclamations recognizing April as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the week of April 13–19 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week; local nonprofits and county 911 staff addressed the commission.
Mayor Robert Blythe and local officials proclaimed April 2025 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month and designated April 13–19, 2025, as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week during the April 14 City of Richmond meeting.
Representatives from CAMS Club presented a short video and described the nonprofit’s programs and sensory-friendly events. A CAMS Club representative (Cameron) said autism affects “1 in 36 children” and described services that accelerate diagnosis, support interventions and provide community connections such as horse therapy. A family featured in the video — the Bridal family — spoke of the support they have received.
Victoria Bench, executive director of CASA of the Wilderness Trail, spoke during the Child Abuse Prevention Month proclamation. Bench told the commission that 313 Madison County children were abused or neglected in 2024 and urged residents to get involved to support children and families.
Mindy Lynch, director of Madison County 9-1-1, accepted the proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and described the center’s consolidated service for Richmond, Berea and Madison County. Lynch described an “Adopt-a-Dispatcher” program during the week (April 13–19) where businesses and individuals can provide care packages and recognition for dispatch staff.
Each proclamation recognized local nonprofit and public-safety partners for their work. The proclamations were ceremonial; no regulatory or funding changes were associated with the recognitions.
