2014 -- H 8048

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LC005410

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2014, TO BE "CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

PREVENTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Cimini, Diaz, Ajello, Hearn, and E Coderre

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Child abuse and neglect are community-wide conditions and problems, and

finding solutions depends on the involvement of people in the community; and

     WHEREAS, Approximately three million children are reported abused and neglected in

this country each year, with more than 13,000 of these cases reported here in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, The effects of child abuse and neglect are felt by whole communities and

need to be addressed by the entire community; and

     WHEREAS, Prevent Child Abuse Rhode Island, the Family Care Community

Partnerships and the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) are sponsoring several

events throughout the month to heighten public awareness of abuse and neglect in communities

around the state. Each of these events will provide information and materials that support families

to prevent child maltreatment and celebrate people who work with and support children and

families; and

     WHEREAS, The statewide "Pinwheels for Prevention®" campaign has been going on for

four years with the help of media, child care providers, public schools, libraries, social service

agencies, and businesses during the month of April to celebrate and bring awareness of the great

potential of all children in Rhode Island and the need to strengthen all families with support and

nurturing; and

     WHEREAS, The "Pinwheels for Prevention®" campaign includes the statewide planting

of "Pinwheel Gardens" in order to celebrate community partnerships for strengthening the family

and protecting all children from abuse and neglect; and

     WHEREAS, Effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships

created among social service agencies, schools, religious and civic organizations, law

enforcement agencies, and the business community; and

     WHEREAS, Child protection is a community effort and all the citizens of the state

should become more aware of the negative effects of child abuse and its prevention within the

community, and become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in safe, nurturing

environments; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims the month of April, 2014, to be "Child Abuse and

Neglect Prevention Month" in the State of Rhode Island and calls upon all citizens, community

agencies, religious organizations, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation

in our efforts to prevent child abuse, thereby strengthening the communities in which we live; and

be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Cheryl Patnaude, President of Prevent Child

Abuse Rhode Island.

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LC005410

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