2014 – H 8048
Enacted 04/10/14
H O U S E R E
S O L U T I O N
Introduced By: Representatives Cimini, Diaz,
Ajello, Hearn, and E Coderre
Date Introduced: April 10, 2014
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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