April was proclaimed as Child Abuse Awareness Month by the Hockley County Commissioners’ Court.
The Hockley County Welfare Board placed blue ribbons and lights on the Court House square to increase child abuse and neglect awareness.
According to the Hockley County Welfare Board, there were 53 confirmed victims of child abuse or neglect in Hockley County in 2022. The board encourage individuals and organizations to play a role in making Hockley County a safer place for children and families.
President of the Hockley County Child Welfare Board, Carrla Jones says the organizations partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Service is a key part in keeping children safe in Texas.
The Department of Family and Protective Services’ website offers tips and direction to resources for parents, guardians and those seeking to foster or adopt.
Jones explained the board’s partners help struggling families before they are in a crisis by supporting families and preventing children and teens from needing to enter care.
The board also partners with Saint Frances Ministries, a notfor-profit organization, that partners with government agencies in supporting children and families in crisis.
Jones said once a child is removed from and an abusive or neglectful environment, they are placed in the care of Saint Francis Ministries. Saint Francis Ministries help find homes for children and teens that cannot be reunified with their families.
Jones said both agencies do an amazing job caring for the children and families in Hockley County. The board serves as a support system to help meet the needs of children in care.
The board believes that by ensuring parents have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to care for their families, the organization can help promote the social and wellbeing of children and prevent child maltreatment in families and the community.
The organization stated in a press release its goal for Child Abuse Awareness Month is to reach as many people as possible to equip families with knowledge and resources to support child abuse preventions practices in Texas.
In support of these efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Children’s Bureau, Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, together with Child Welfare Information Gateway and the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention developed the 2023/2024 Prevention Resource Guide.
The guide provides more information about protective factors and highlights examples of innovative prevention approaches being implemented by communities across the country. For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities during the month of April, and throughout the year, contact the Hockley County Child Welfare Board 921 Austin Street Levelland, Texas 79336.