2024 -- H 8139

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LC005780

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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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

     Referred To: House read and passed

     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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