The Hockley County Child Welfare Board (HCCWB) held an event at the courthouse on Wednesday to raise awareness against child abuse.
County Judge Sharia Baldridge and Mayor Breann Buxkemper spoke at the event, along with Tylyn Rushing, president of the Hockley County Child Welfare Board. They were joined by board members.
The event introduced the Child Welfare Board’s mission, local and state abuse statistics, and recognized officials and partner organizations like St. Francis and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Rushing said she believes that the biggest challenge faced is helping the community understand what the board does.
“A lot of people don’t know who we are or what we do, and that is the biggest challenge we face,” Rushing said. “This event was meant to get our name out and show the community that the money we receive goes directly to programs that support children and families. Awareness and understanding are necessary for us to provide the help families need.”
The board works to keep children in a home by working with the DFPS and St. Francis. If early intervention efforts don’t work and a child must be removed from their home, these organizations can provide children with safe and stable placements while they wait for a permanent home. According to Rushing, partnerships between the board and other agencies help support children and families through various stages of intervention.
“Being involved in youth programs, coaching, teaching, or simply providing a safe place for children makes a real difference,” Rushing said. “Some children do not have safe adults at home, and having people they can trust outside their home can prevent them from being at risk. It takes everyone working together to make sure every child has support and a safe place to go.”
Rushing noted that community members are also involved in prevention. Volunteers and professionals create a support network that children can depend on. The board’s programs and activities, along with parent and teacher participation and involvement from local organizations, provide stability and resources to children when needed.
The conference included presentations on child abuse statistics. In Texas, there were 51,985 confirmed child abuse victims; there were 52 such victims in Hockley County. Although no child lost their life in Hockley County as a result of abuse, organizers said there is a continued need to provide resources and engage the community to prevent abuse. Every person who attended the event received a pinwheel that represented each confirmed child abuse victim in Hockley County.
“Our goal is not only to respond when abuse occurs but to prevent it whenever possible,” Rushing said. “We connect families with resources early, help children remain safely at home when we can, and ensure stable placements when necessary.
It requires coordination among agencies, organizations, and community members.
Awareness is the first step, but action is what makes the difference.”
The Hockley County Child Welfare Board will continue to work with local organizations and community members to ensure children have safe and supportive environments. To Rushing, awareness is only the first step, and ongoing community action is essential to protect children.