Commissioners proclaim April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month; local advocacy group outlines services

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard a presentation from Cass Burkett, executive director and forensic interviewer at Western PA Cares for Kids Child Advocacy Center.

Burkett described the center’s role in coordinating forensic interviews and multidisciplinary case reviews that bring together law enforcement, children and youth services, and prosecutors. "For once in her life, instead of feeling neglected and not cared for, she felt like her voice mattered," Burkett said, recounting a composite case she identified in the meeting as "Maddie" to explain how the center supports children through initial interviews and coordinated follow-up.

Burkett said the center also conducts prevention education in schools and offers community outreach; she invited commissioners to participate in awareness activities (including wearing blue on April 11) and noted the organization’s reliance on community fundraising and grants. She described the center’s monthly multidisciplinary case review meetings and named partner agencies in the county’s response network.

Commissioner Mark Innes moved the proclamation; another commissioner seconded the motion and the board approved it by voice vote. During public comment following the proclamation, a resident suggested a program that lets jurors donate small juror-check payments to local nonprofits; the speaker noted that when that arrangement was used in the past it benefited the Cares for Kids center.

Burkett provided contact information during the meeting for donations and event participation and described the group’s main annual fundraiser, a duathlon and community walk on the third weekend of July.