(The Times and Democrat) – In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, Bamberg County DSS invites the community to Safe Kids Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2018, at the local office, 374 Log Branch Road, Bamberg, SC 29003. The event will feature free food, fun and games, child safety tips, law enforcement and fire department safety, prizes and more.
Each April, the South Carolina Department of Social Services (SC DSS) joins Children’s Trust of South Carolina, the state’s affiliate organization for Prevent Child Abuse America, and other statewide and local leaders in acknowledging Child Abuse Prevention Month.
In fiscal year 2017, there were 17,662 victims of child abuse and neglect in South Carolina. In Bamberg County, there were 66 children in abuse and neglect investigations during the same time frame.
This public health issue has been linked to a wide range of costly medical, emotional, psychological and behavioral problems into adulthood. Prevention programs are significantly less costly to society than fixing the lasting effects of child abuse and neglect.
When communities come together to support children and families, everyone benefits. Fellow citizens are healthy and better educated, employees are more productive and miss less work and the impact on the quality of life for families in these communities is profound.
“We at DSS are engaged in reforming the child welfare system to help children get what they need,” said Susan Alford, SC DSS state director. “We, along with our network of foster caregivers, rescue children and start their healing process. We can speak loudly on their behalf, but we have to focus on building systems that can support their safety, permanency and well-being. Equally important in this equation is the role of our partners. They contribute greatly by reducing risks, educating parents and ultimately helping to mend broken situations into successful families.”
Child Abuse Prevention Month is a time to celebrate the good things our communities do to support stronger families and keep children safe. Everyone – individuals, businesses, families and communities – must work together to prevent child abuse.
Source: The Times and Democrat
