Bucks Commissioners Proclaim April ‘Child Abuse Awareness Month’

Focusing the spotlight on the issue of child abuse in Bucks County and, on a larger basis in our society, Bucks County Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, Robert G. Loughery and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW have declared April “Child Abuse Awareness Month” in the county.

In reading a proclamation to that end on April 6, Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia noted the partnership that has formed between the Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services Agency (C&Y), the county Health Department, the county District Attorney’s office, and the Children’s Advocacy Center will promote “proactive awareness activities” throughout the month.

“We encourage area residents to participate in child abuse awareness education, as we seek to protect our youngsters while ensuring their collective future,” Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia read on behalf of her colleagues.

On Monday, April 4, representatives of the county partnership planted 762 colorful pinwheels on the embankment at the intersection of Rte. 611 and Almshouse Rd. in Doylestown Township. This “Pinwheels to Prevent Child Abuse” effort features informational signage and 762 colorful pinwheels – or one for each victim of child abuse in Bucks County during the calendar year 2010.

The commissioners’ proclamation read: “We support the planting of the pinwheel garden as a way to draw attention to the societal problem of child abuse – the investigation of which by county agencies cost Pennsylvania an estimated $46.6 million last year.”

Thanking the commissioners for their support of children’s services, county Children & Youth Social Services Executive Director Lynne Rainey spoke of her department’s outreach to the hospitals throughout Bucks County. She is spearheading an effort to prevent abusive head trauma involving children. This outreach will include the distribution of the four-minute educational DVD, “When Your Baby Cries … ways to soothe your baby.” The link to the DVD information is as follows:  http://www.fci.org/baby/about.html

Another community outreach to ensure child safety will take place at multiple locations on Saturday, April 30, when county offices will partner with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to host another Prescription Drug Take Back event. Last September, the DEA coordinated with county government agencies, local law enforcement and Bucks Promise for Youth and Communities to provide more than 20 local drop-off locations for prescription and over-the-counter medications. More than 850 pounds of prescription drugs were taken out of circulation that day. Details about this event will be forthcoming on the official county website.