HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-131RESOLUTION NO. 04-131
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH
OF APRIL, 2004, AS "CHILD ABUSE
PREVENTION MONTH" IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY,
FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has
made the following determinations:
1. Child abuse is a serious and growing problem affecting over 5,030
children on the Treasure Coast; 75,000 children in the state of Florida annually,
and more than 2.9 million nationally, including more than 1,000 abuse-related
tragic fatalities.
2. This societal malignancy called child abuse respects no racial, religious,
class or geographic boundaries, and in fact, has been declared a national
emergency.
3. Every child deserves to live in a safe, permanent and caring family
knowing that children from stable, healthy home environments are better
prepared for school, have a significantly better academic future, and are less
likely to become involved in drugs and crime.
4. The CASTLE of the Treasure Coast, incorporated in 1981 as the Exchange
Club Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of the Treasure Coast, Inc.,
was the first center in the country created for the sole purpose of bringing
awareness to the breaking the cycle of child abuse, and has been
proclaimed the "Flagship" of the National Exchange Club Foundation's
network of over 100 such agencies throughout 27 states all working to win
the battle against the devastating pain and lifelong results of child abuse.
5. The CASTLE (which stands for Child Abuse Services, Training and Life
Enrichment), through its support of parent aide programs, parenting classes,
educational programs and community service activities, is making significant
progress in stopping the crime against families and children.
6. Studies have shown that prevention remains the best defense for our
children, that for every dollar spent through prevention efforts of the CASTLE
and its sister agencies, needless tragedies are prevented and children and
families are kept whole and protected.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners
of St. Lucie County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim the month of April, 2004, as "CHILD
ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
2. This Board urges all citizens of St. Lucie County to use this time to
reflect upon, better understand, recognize and respond to this grievous crime
against defenseless children.
3. This Board congratulates The CASTLE on its more than two decades of
service to the four-county Treasure Coast area and commends them for their
continued success in helping families break free from the cycle of child
abuse by setting a national standard for healthy families.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this ] 3th day of April, 2004.
ATTEST:
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY:
CHAiR/~'AN/ ~, --
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
CC~RRECTNESS:
COUNTY