OKEECHOBEE – April is Child Abuse Prevention Month in Okeechobee County.

At their April 10 meeting, Okeechobee County Commissioners issued a proclamation to Gina Ortiz from Helping People Succeed and Amanda Riedel from Hibiscus Center. They also recognized Hibiscus Center’s 40^th anniversary, celebrated this month.

“Strong families create strong communities and strong futures. Children are our most valuable resource, and will shape the future of Okeechobee County’s success, prosperity, and quality of life,” the proclamation states.

 “The federal fiscal year of 2024 showed 3.1 million reports were made to child protective services; proving child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone.

 “Child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims of abuse,” the proclamation continued.

 “Helping People Succeed and Hibiscus Children’s Center have been providing services to the community for decades. Through their diversified, effective program services and initiatives, hundreds of the most vulnerable local children, families and adults have been able to transform their lives through education, counseling, training and employment.

“Effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families.

“Communities must make every effort to promote programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families, in order to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. This prevention remains the best defense for our children and families.”