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Agenda Item No. 5(D) CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EL CERRITO PROCLAMATION April 2013 is Child Abuse Prevention Month WHEREAS, every child is precious and deserves to grow up in a healthy, safe, nurturing environment free from the threats, dangers, and harmful effects of child abuse and neglect; and WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect impacts our entire society and can cause traumatic emotional and physical harm which can lead to poor outcomes including detrimental behaviors and mental and physical illness for children and adults; and WHEREAS, a strong family unit is the best deterrent to child abuse. Effectively intervening in the lives of children threatened by abuse is a shared responsibility. Strengthening the bonds within families requires community members and leaders to partner with parents; and WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention programs succeed because of partnerships created among social service agencies, schools, faith communities, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community; and WHEREAS, working together is crucial to protect the well-being of our children by recognizing the signs of violence and creating safe, and strong environments that safeguard the promise of their futures; and WHEREAS, nationally, it is estimated that more than 1,500 children die each year from child abuse or neglect and during periods of economic challenges, families feel more vulnerable, and as a result, child abuse and neglect increases drastically; and WHEREAS, research shows that for every $1 spent on child abuse and neglect prevention, $34 will not be spent on publicly funded crisis-oriented programming such as protective services, foster care, special education and counseling; and NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of El Cerrito hereby proclaims the month of April 2013 Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of El Cerrito and calls upon all residents, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to support safe and strong families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the communities in which we live. Dated: April 16, 2013 Gregory B. Lyman, Mayor