April was proclaimed Child Abuse Prevention Month by the Board of County Commissioners during their board meeting on Monday, April 1. Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to reinforce the emphasis that every child deserves to grow up in a safe, loving and stable family, free from physical, sexual, emotional and verbal abuse, neglect and exploitation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Child Abuse Prevention Month has been recognized nationally since 1983, and this year\u2019s theme is \u201cBuilding Community, Building Hope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBuilding hope is what we\u2019re striving to do,\u201d said Jamie Ulrich, Director of the Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS). \u201cWe want to build up hope in these families so that they can continue to grow and thrive here in Weld County. We really appreciate all of the community members who work closely with us for child abuse prevention.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Last year 199 families were served internally through the help of the Prevention Team, a group within the Family Resource Division of DHS that seeks to prevent family disruption and to assist families in maintaining safety, permanency and well-being through empowerment and a strengths-based approach. Recently, Prevention Services was rebranded to \u201cLighthouse Family Navigation and Support Team,\u201d and will continue its mission of connecting Weld County families with a supportive network that uplifts and educates them on the way to achieving their fullest potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI applaud you all for stepping in and helping to prevent abuse,\u201d said Commissioner Chairman Kevin Ross. \u201cChildren are vulnerable, and they can be taken advantage of, and we have to be the protectors. We have to step up for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n