April is . . . Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month

The staff of the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services serving Washington County have been working to bring awareness and draw attention to the needs of the children of the community.

To kick off the month of April, the Trojan Art Club students painted bright blue pinwheels on store windows through downtown Potosi on Thursday, April 1st.

Students also placed pinwheels in the yard at the County Courthouse as a display for the ‘Awareness’ event.

The Washington County Commissioners signed a Proclamation during the Monday, April 5th, 2021 Commission Meeting to officially recognize the month of April as ‘Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month’.

The Proclamation reads:

PROCLAMATION

FROM THE WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION,

PROCLAIMING

THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2021

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH

WHEREAS, the Child Abuse/Neglect hotline received 298 reported incidents in Washington County during FY2020; and

WHEREAS, there were 42 active Family Center Service cases in Washington County in FY 2020 that provided in-home services to children and families, without or prior to court involvement; and

WHEREAS, Washington County had 43 new entries of children into foster care during FY 2020; and

WHEREAS, Washington County has approximately 150 children in foster care currently, and the 24th Judicial Circuit has approximately 455 children in foster care today.

WHEREAS, there are approximately 40 relative or foster home providers in Washington County today that are providing day-to-day care to children who are in foster care, not including homes that are privately contracted through other agencies; and

WHEREAS, during FY 2020, there were approximately 1,200 adoption and guardianship cases processed in the Southeast Region of Missouri.

NOW, THEREFORE, We, the County Commission of Washington County, Missouri do hereby proclaim

THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2021

CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH

IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, MISSOURI

/s/Dave Sansegraw,
Presiding Commissioner

/s/Doug Short,
1st District Commissioner

/s/Cody Brinley,
2nd District Commissioner

Attest:

/s/Jeanette Allen, County Clerk

The County Commissioners urge the citizens of Washington County to recognize the importance of protecting our children of the community everyday.

This project’s goal is to promote child abuse prevention and awareness in the community so every child can be safe and every community can be aware. With the help of the Potosi School District Art Club, blue pinwheels were painted on business windows along High Street and banners are being hung to show support and spread awareness of the cause.

Superintendent Alex McCaul and the Potosi R-3 School District Administrators are encouraging staff and students to wear blue every Friday in the month of April, as well.

Washington County Children’s Division representatives have met with Mayor Joseph Blount, and with the City Council’s support, is signing a Proclamation that designates April child abuse prevention and awareness month for the City of Potosi and encourage businesses and community members to paint the town blue for years to come to show support.

Today, there are approximately 150 children in foster care in Washington County and approximately 455 children in foster care in the 24th Judicial Circuit that also includes Madison, St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties.

You can help! For more information on how to foster, adopt, volunteer, or support those in our community caring for victims of child abuse or neglect, contact 573-438-0332.

The Children’s Division wants to express their sincere thanks to the Washington County Handicapped Center, Melton’s, Lyndsey Paige Photography, Reviving Hope Church of God, Potosi School District Art Club, Alex McCaul, Bryce Wilson Jr., and Mayor Joseph Blount for donated items and time dedicated to the Potosi project and to all the businesses in town that participated in the pinwheel window painting.

Thank you to all who support the children and painting the town blue!