HomeMy WebLinkAbout4955-22 Special Resolution April as Child Abuse Month RESOLUTION
No. 4955-22
Passed by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 11 , 20 22.
Attest: City Clerk
Dawn M. Jones
%Attest President of Common Council
Presented by me to the Mayor of the City of South Bend, Indiana
April 11 , 20 22
� • a2�� City clerk
Dawn M. Jones
Approved and signed by me 20
Mayor
BILL NO. 18-22
RESOLUTION NO. 4955-22
A SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, RECOGNIZING APRIL 2022 AS CHILD
ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
WHEREAS, in Federal fiscal year 2020, 3.9 million reports nation-wide and an
estimated 216,000 reports in Indiana were made to child protective services; and
WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect are serious problems affecting every segment of
our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone; and
WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the
partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community- and
faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and
WHEREAS, our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of
the City of South Bend, St. Joseph County and the State of Indiana; and
WHEREAS, the harms that stem from child abuse and neglect are one small portion of
the harms that arise from Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which are childhood
experiences that can have long-term impacts on physical, mental and behavioral health; and
WHEREAS, approximately 66% of St. Joseph County adults have at least one Adverse
Childhood Experience; and
WHEREAS, the incidence and impact of ACES are mediated by Protective Factors,
which come from the lived environment and safe, stable, nurturing relationship; and
WHEREAS, strengthening protective factors to prevent child abuse and ACEs requires a
focused community-wide effort to: strengthen economic supports to families, promote healthy
social norms, ensure a strong start for children, teach social skills to children and parents,
connect youth to caring adults and activities,.and intervene to lessen the immediate and long-
term harms of ACEs; and
WHEREAS, systems of ACE prevention require community-wide collaboration, the
explicit recognition that ACEs are common, and their long-term impact is felt by entire
communities, and the understanding that individual organizations will require governmental
support in order to fully protect children from ACEs; and
WHEREAS,reduction in child abuse is a direct result of improved parental skills—
parents learn from in-home visiting programs how to manage their anger, how to discipline their
children effectively and without violence, and how to ask for help and support when they need it;
and
WHEREAS,the Youth Service Bureau's Young Moms Self-Sufficiency Program is one
such unique program serving the young, at-risk, low-income mothers of South Bend and St.
Joseph County; and
WHEREAS,a multitude of organizations with child advocacy programming admirably serve
South Bend and St. Joseph County; and
WHEREAS,the FSSA 211 system serves as a valuable resource for families and service
providers within South Bend and St. Joseph County areas.
WHEREAS, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase
awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of
children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; and
WHEREAS, prevention remains the best defense for our children and families.
NOW, THEREFORE,BE IS RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of
South Bend, Indiana, as follows:.
Section I. The Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana recognizes and
proclaims April 2022 as NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH.
Section II. The Common Council also recognizes and appreciates the efforts of all the
Community Service Agencies who dedicate.their lives to the task of improving the quality of life
for all children and families.
Section III. The Common Council urges all residents to similarly dedicate themselves to
the future of our community.
Section IV.This resolution shall become effective upon the date of passage.
Sharon McBride, President,
South Bend Common
Council
Attest:
Dawn M. Jones, City Clerk
Presented by me, the undersigned Clerk of the City of South Bend, to the Mayor of the
City of South Bend, Indiana on the day of April 2022 at o'clock_. m.
Dawn M. Jones, City Clerk
Office of the City Clerk
Approved and Signed by me, on the day of April 2022, at_o'clock_
M.
James Mueller, Mayor
City of South Bend