Child Abuse Prevention Association

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2009
NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

When the child next door is maltreated, we all suffer. Every American has a stake in the well-being of our Nation’s children. They are members of our communities, and they are our future. National Child Abuse Prevention Month provides the opportunity to underscore our commitment to preventing and responding appropriately to child abuse. This month, we emphasize the importance of understanding child abuse and the need for all Americans to help families overcome this devastating problem.

The tragedy of child abuse may afflict American children in different ways. Abuse may occur physically, sexually, and emotionally. Child neglect, another form of child maltreatment, may occur physically and emotionally. Understanding the forms of child abuse is critical to preventing and responding to maltreatment.

A well-informed and strong family is the surest defense against child abuse. To help educate and strengthen families, community members can offer their time and counsel to parents and children who may need assistance. For example, parent support groups provide an organized forum for assistance. More informally, community members may simply offer a helping hand to families under stress. More information about what families and communities can do is available at www.childwelfare.gov/preventing.

Civic organizations and government also have an important role to play. Civic groups offer essential support through education, assistance to those at risk, and treatment for victims. Government at the local, State, and Federal level must provide funding for services, conduct public education projects, and enforce child abuse laws.

As we recognize that we all suffer when our children are abused, that we all benefit from mutual concern and care, and that we all have a responsibility to help, more American children will grow up healthy, happy, and with unlimited potential for success.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do more hereby proclaim April 2009, as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I encourage all citizens to help prevent and respond to child abuse by strengthening families and contributing to all children’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

To view directly from the source:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Proclamation-Marking-National-Child-Abuse-Prevention-Month/

The Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA) announces that Kansas City Royals’ Hall-of-Famer Frank White will be its Children’s Champion. White will help CAPA to spread its message about preventing child abuse and child neglect while promoting efforts to bring people together in the Kansas City community to make a difference in the lives of our children.

The kickoff of this partnership will begin during National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month this April at CAPA’s Annual Meeting Community Change for Children - Keep Kids Safe being held at the Ararat Shrine April 29th @ 8AM.

In the state of Missouri in 2003, child abuse and neglect hotlines received 56,953 calls involving 86,735 children. 44 of these children died as a direct result of child abuse and/or neglect. 22 or 49.8% of the children who died were under the age of 1. Sadly, 61% of the perpetrators of these crimes were the victim’s natural parent. Caretakers of abused children who were relatives—parents, grandparents, and other family members–account for 84% of perpetrators.

Research documented in Kids Count estimates that 30-50 percent of children will experience some form of abuse or neglect during childhood. Jackson County ranks 79th in Missouri in terms of infant mortality, with 8.2 cases per 1,000 births and 75th in child abuse and neglect with 50.8 cases per 1,000 births.

CAPA’s Children Champion, Frank White, was the 1980 Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, leading the Royals to their first World Series appearance. A smooth-fielding 2nd baseman, White was a five-time All-Star. He won the Gold Glove Award eight times, including six consecutive seasons from 1977 to 1982. After his retirement from active play, White went on to coach in the Kansas City organization. More recently, in February 2008, White joined Fox Sports Net Kansas City to serve as color commentator on Royals telecasts, filling in for Paul Splittorff on select games, and as analyst on the channel’s Royals Live post-game show.

White’s Kansas City roots extend back to even before he broke into Major League Baseball. He was once a student at Jackson County’s Longview Community College. Over the years, he has earned well-deserved recognition for taking the lead in a wide range of Kansas City philanthropic efforts.

If you are interested in joining Frank White and CAPA’s Board of Directors for its Annual Meeting or to help in the abuse prevention movement, please call 816-252-8388, ext. 313, or e-mail dcastllo@childabuseprevention.org

Every Child Should be

SAFE!

{especially at Home}