Cook County News Herald

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: What can you do to help?




The office of Cook County Attorney represents the county in child protection court proceedings and participates in the Child Protection team. Child maltreatment is a problem in this country, as it is in most communities. We all have a responsibility to end it. Every community member has the power to intervene before child abuse occurs and to play a part in ending it. How? .Develop a supportive relationship with a child or a parent who is struggling. Mentor a child or a parent who is showing sign of stress or appears overwhelmed. Do not underestimate the difference you can make simply by being presentnaperson’slife. .Volunteer for an organization that provides low-cost or free programming for children. Programs supported by the YMCA, Community Education, and the local churches provide a safe place for children to go and ore connections to supportive adults who can listen to and protect hem. .Become a foster care provider. There is an extreme shortage of providers or short- and long-term foster care n this county. By becoming licensed as a foster care provider, you can provide stability of a safe space for boys and girls who desperately need that in order to grow and develop. Call Cook County Public Health or Human Services at (218) 387-3670 to learn more. .Report child abuse or neglect when you see it. Law enforcement and County Human Services rely on accurate reports by non-biased community members. We cannot know which children need protection without someone stepping forward and reporting what they have seen. Call Cook County Public Health and Human Service or the Sheriff ’s Office at (218) 387-3030 and provide your name and contact information along with what you observed.



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