April 2024: Child Abuse Prevention Month

WHEREAS, Michigan is committed to ensuring all children grow up safe, healthy, educated, and prepared to reach their full potential; and,

WHEREAS, community-based, parent-driven Family Resource Centers have proven to reduce child abuse and neglect across the nation and are now coming together in the Michigan Family Resource Center Network; and,

WHEREAS, consistent, early, and effective prevention strategies such as using the Strengthening Families framework and the Five Protective Factors have been proven to save lives, protect resources, and build resilient children within cohesive families by ending cycles of abuse and neglect; and,

WHEREAS, children raised in safe, stable, and nurturing environments with supported caregivers are more likely to enjoy good physical and mental health, succeed academically and socially, and achieve economic prosperity; and,

WHEREAS, by educating adults about how to use positive coping skills, seek options, and be flexible, we enable them to be stronger, more resilient individuals throughout their lives and create more stable environments and brighter futures for children; and, 

WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect prevention is a community responsibility, and, on behalf of Michigan’s children, we join with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Children Trust Michigan as the state agencies leading the effort with their sole focus on the prevention of child abuse and neglect through 100+ partner organizations in all 83 counties; and, 

WHEREAS, under the leadership of Children Trust Michigan, we come together against child abuse and neglect by supporting prevention programs, so every child feels safe and nurtured by making sure each family has the support and education they need; and,

WHEREAS, the blue and silver pinwheels displayed during April, and throughout the year, symbolize the health and happiness all children deserve;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Michigan.