Douglas Dispatch
 Submitted photo Douglas Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez, seated, signs a proclamation making the month of April Child Abuse Prevention Month in Douglas. Looking on are representatives of Douglas for Stronger Families, , from left, Rosie Jaramillo, treasurer, Norma Ochoa, board; Mario Merino, vice president; Angel Acosta, president; and Jennie Molina, secretary. |
Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez signed the proclamation earlier this month.
The proclamation calls upon all citizens, community agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, and business to increase their participation in our efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live.
The proclamation was witnessed by members for Douglas for Stronger Families.
The Douglas for Stronger Families Regional Prevention Council is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Child abuse is a problem in Arizona. In state fiscal year 2010 there were 33, 839 reports of abuse and neglect involving 45, 479 children. Prevention is the only way to reverse this alarming trend.
The Child Abuse Prevention Fund receives money from the income tax check off option located on the Arizona income tax form. This money is used to fund child abuse prevention programs throughout the state including programs right here in our community. Since 1982, over $16 million has been collected and 50 different prevention programs have been funded including teen and adult parenting education, child abuse prevention, support groups for parents, First Steps programs, annual child abuse prevention conference, Regional Child abuse Prevention Councils, and Healthy Families Arizona programs and evaluation. Healthy Families Programs have proven dramatically effective in educating parents and keeping children safe from child abuse and neglect.
Throughout the year the Council sponsors or collaborates with other agencies or programs to promote wellness of children in our community. A few of these have included the billboard on Chino Road, the Back to School Rock Concert and Christmas at the Park. This April the Council will be sponsoring a presentation by Bobbi Sudberry, Co-Founder and President of Kaity’s Way, on dating violence. It will be presented three different days so that all the high school students have an opportunity to attend. On April 19th the Council is sponsoring a workshop by Dr. Fernando Armenariz on “Children Reaching Their Fullest Potential at Home, School and Community” at the Douglas Visitor’s Center. The Council is collaborating with other programs to help sponsor the Youth on the border Conference on April 14th.
We are asking you, as members of this community to join in the fight to stop child abuse. Your help can make a difference. For further information contact Angel Acosta at 520-364-4446 ext. 127.
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