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Olmsted County recognizes Child Abuse Prevention Month

Since 1983, April has been nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Child abuse and neglect affects children of every age, gender, race, and income level. Olmsted County recognizes that child abuse and neglect:

  • Affect every segment of our community.
  • Can have long‐term psychological, emotional, and physical effects on victims.
  • Requires finding solutions with input and action from everyone.

“Research demonstrates that child abuse and neglect can be prevented when community programs and systems are engaged to work together to provide early intervention and support,” explained Olmsted County Director of Child and Family Services Amy Rauchwarter. “Olmsted County is part of a multidisciplinary committee – Voices for Children – Child Abuse Prevention Council of Olmsted County – whose goal is to spread awareness and education about child abuse prevention in our community.”

Other integral members of the Voices for Children – Child Abuse Prevention Council of Olmsted County include:

  • Family Service Rochester
  • Home Federal Bank
  • Mayo Clinic
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Southeast Minnesota
  • Olmsted County Public Health
  • Olmsted Medical Center
  • Rochester Public Schools
  • Winona State University
  • Zumbro Valley Health Center

Voices for Children is committed to providing learning opportunities for professionals and other community members. Each Monday during the month of April from noon to 1 p.m., Voices for Children will be hosting free virtual brown bag lunch seminars on topics related to child abuse prevention. Most events will be recorded for those who can’t view the events live. Participants may attend as many or as few as they’d like. For more information, please email Voicesofolmsted@gmail.com.

“Prevention remains the best defense for our children and families,” continued Rauchwarter. “Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families. In Olmsted County, we need to continue prioritizing and promoting programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families.”

“Our children are our most valuable resources and will shape the future of Olmsted County. We must work together to promote the social and emotional well-being of children so they can grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment,” said Olmsted County Board of Commissioners Chair Stephanie Podulke. “I urge all citizens to recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month by helping to improve the quality of life for all children and families.” 

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Media Contact: Gretchen Williamson, Communications Coordinator, 507-328-6024

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