| R 202 |
| 2024 -- H 8139 Enacted 04/04/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2024 TO BE "NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Chippendale, Newberry, Roberts, Quattrocchi, Rea, Kennedy, Edwards, Bennett, Fenton-Fung, and Ajello |
| Date Introduced: April 04, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, Children are our nation's most vulnerable members as well as our nation's |
| most valuable resources, helping to shape the future of Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, Positive childhood experiences (PCES)-like loving caregivers and safe, |
| stable, and nurturing relationships-can help mitigate trauma and the negative impact of adverse |
| childhood experiences (ACES) to promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being |
| of children; and |
| WHEREAS, Childhood trauma can have long-term psychological, emotional, and |
| physical effects throughout an individual's lifetime and impact future generations of their family; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Childhood trauma, including abuse and neglect, is a serious problem |
| affecting every community in the U.S., and finding solutions requires input and action from |
| everyone; and |
| WHEREAS, Children who live in families with access to concrete economic and social |
| supports are less likely to experience abuse and neglect; and |
| WHEREAS, Prevention is possible because of the partnerships created between families, |
| prevention advocates, child welfare professionals, education, health, community, and faith-based |
| organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and local, state, and national governments; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, In order to solve the public health issue of abuse and neglect, communities |
| and government must work together to change hearts and mindsets through storytelling and |
| sharing, center the needs of families, break down bias and barriers, and inspire action from |
| expected and unexpected partners in prevention; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby is |
| committed to advancing equitable, responsive, and effective systems that ensure all children and |
| families are healthy and thriving; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House hereby recognizes the need to prioritize kids and invest in |
| more prevention initiatives like home visiting and family-strengthening policies, economic |
| supports, and community-based child abuse prevention programs at the national, state, and local |
| levels; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House hereby proclaims April of 2024 to be "National Child |
| Abuse Prevention Month" in the State of Rhode Island and urges all citizens to recognize this |
| month by building a narrative of hope for children and families through collaboration and the |
| creation of an ecosystem of primary prevention that does not currently exist in this country; and |
| be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ashley Deckert, Director, Rhode Island |
| Department of Children, Youth & Families. |
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| LC005780 |
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