HomeMy WebLinkAbout23-027 RESOLUTION NO. 23-027
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING APRIL 2023 AS "CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH"AND
RECOGNIZING HIBISCUS CHILDREN'S CENTER'S LATE FOUNDER LAVAUGHN TILTON
FOR HER VISION 38 YEARS AGO PROTECTING CHILDREN IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the following
determinations:
1. Children are vital to our future success, and every child has the right to be safe, healthy, and happy
and deserves to receive love, nurturing and care and live in communities that foster their healthy growth
and development. Our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of St. Lucie
County.
2. In the Federal fiscal year 2021, 3.9 million reports were made to child protective services.
3. Child abuse and neglect is a community responsibility, affecting both the current and future quality
of life of any community and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone. Child abuse can
have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims
of abuse.
4. Hibiscus Children's Center upholds the legacy of transforming the lives of children and families and
embraces opportunities that can potentially change the way society cares for children.
5. Hibiscus Children's Center honors its late Founder, LaVaughn Tilton (1925-2021) by recognizing her
vision, passion,and commitment to create a safe place for abused children,which came to fruition in 1985
when she founded Hibiscus Children's Center. Hibiscus has since provided 450,000 safe nights to over
3,500 abused, abandoned, and neglected children on the Treasure Coast.
6. Helping People Succeed is committed to providing protective factors and conditions that reduce or
eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being of children.
7. Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child
welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, law
enforcement agencies, and families. Communities must make every effort to promote programs and
activities that create strong and thriving children and families. We acknowledge that we must work
together as a community to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social
and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.
8. Prevention remains the best defense for our children and families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County,
Florida:
1. This Board does proclaim April 2023 as "Child Abuse Prevention Month" in St. Lucie County Florida.
2. This Board recognizes and commends Hibiscus Children's Center's late Founder LaVaughn Tilton for
her vision 38 years ago to protect children in St. Lucie County, Florida.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 18th day of April 2023.
ATTEST: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FL IDA
Ira alt Y NBY:
DEPUTY CLER ��_�^ '�< CHAIR
APPROVED S TO LEGAL 9RM AND
ti. CORRECT E • /
�—' �� COUNTY A, ORNEY