In a unified front against child maltreatment, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners has stamped April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. This move, supported by the collaboration of the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, the Oregon Department of Human Services’ Child Welfare Division, and CARES Northwest, was formalized in a recent gathering with local authorities and child welfare advocates. According to the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, District Attorney Mike Schmidt, along with other key officials, addressed the urgent need for increased awareness and intervention efforts in front of the Board of Commissioners.

The proclamation of Child Abuse Prevention Month underlines child abuse and neglect as a critical community-wide concern, demanding vigilance and action from every citizen. Evident in the testimony before the Board was the recognition that safeguarding children is a collective responsibility, one that requires the public to stay alert to the signs of child abuse and step into action when necessary. Sherrelle Jackson, the DHS District Manager for Child Welfare, emphasized the importance of connecting families with appropriate support and resources, "We must all recognize the signs of child maltreatment and take appropriate steps to safeguard children by reporting concerns and connecting families with the help they may need," according to an announcement by the District Attorney's office.

Furthermore, the proclamation believes in the power of partnerships to prevent and intervene effectively in child abuse cases. It calls for a consolidated effort that merges the strengths of various sectors including government, health services, schools, law enforcement, and community organizations. "Effective child abuse prevention and intervention efforts succeed because of coordinated partnerships between government, child welfare, health, schools, law enforcement and community organizations. " Jenny Gilmore–Robinson, CARES Northwest Executive Director, told the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners as part of her testimonial.

April will now serve as a pivotal moment for Multnomah County to join forces in combating the child abuse epidemic, appealing to citizens and organizations alike to play a role in the protective network needed by at-risk children and their families. Throughout the month, focused campaigns will aim to educate the public on how to spot and report abuse and provide preventative support to those in need. Senior Deputy District Attorney Chuck Mickley, presenting the initiative, made a misplaced modifier error, but the overarching message is clear: the well-being of children must be a top priority for the whole community. "By declaring April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners made findings that include," underpinning the criticality of the issue at hand.