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Adopt and present resolutions proclaiming the 2013 as "Year of the Child" and April 2013 as "Children's Month" to commemorate observances for children during the month of April (Chair Seifert)
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Published Notice Required? Yes_____ No__X_
Public Hearing Required? Yes_____ No__X_
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors adopt and present resolutions proclaiming 2013 as "Year of the Child" and the month of April 2013 as "Children's Month" in Solano County to commemorate observances for children during the month of April as follows:
• Year of the Child (California State Association of Counties)
• Child Abuse Prevention Month
• Children's Light of Hope Day (April 18)
• Children's Memorial Flag Day (April 26)
• Spankout Day -- April 30
• National Library Week (April 14-20) and El Dia de los Libros (April 30)
• National Infant Immunization Week (April 20-27)
• Month of the Military Child
SUMMARY:
Each year in April, community partners across Solano County join together to promote awareness of children's issues by supporting activities and events that raise awareness about critical children's issues, celebrating and/or commemorating children. In addition, in February 2013, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) approved a Resolution in proclaiming 2013 as the "Year of the Child" in California.
The Board of Supervisors is being asked to adopt multiple Resolutions, including proclaiming 2013 as "Year of the Child" and April 2013 as "Children's Month" in Solano County, to support celebrations and observances for children during the month of April. By these actions the Board demonstrates its support for helping to raise awareness of the importance and need for all County residents to support the health, well-being and development of Solano's children and ensure that children have a safe and nurturing environment to reach their full potential and contribute to the safety, stability and strength of Solano's families and communities.
DISCUSSION:
Each year since 2006, the Solano County Board of Supervisors has proclaimed April to be "Children's Month" in Solano County, in support of the many designated observances related to children's issues that occur in April. In 2013 as in years past, community partners across the County are working together to sponsor a host of public education and community engagement activities to honor children during the month of April 2013.
In addition, the California State Association of Counties recently approved a Resolution as "Year of the Child" and calls upon counties, First 5 commissions and other partners across the state to join in this observance. "Year of the Child" and "April Children's Month" observances are detailed below.
Year of the Child/Children's Month (Attachment A): to celebrate April 2013 as "Children's Month," First 5 Solano supports small, grassroots community events and activities to raise awareness about young children's issues in cities across the County. In addition, this year First 5 Solano facilitated the hosting of the First 5 California "Hands-On Health Express" van at the Travis Air Force Base Child Development Centers on April 1, and helped support the Child Abuse Prevention Month Awards in April.
Child Abuse Prevention Month and Blue Ribbon Campaign (Attachment B): Over 3,808 reports of suspected child abuse or neglect were made to Child Protective Services in Solano County in 2012. The Solano County Child Abuse Prevention Council and the Children's Network, along with the Family Resource Center Network and other community partners, sponsor the Solano Blue Ribbon Campaign each April to heighten Solano residents' awareness of child abuse and the need to support families to prevent it.
Children's Light of Hope Day, (April 18), Children's Memorial Flag Day (April 26) and Spankout Day (April 30) (Attachment C):
• Children's Light of Hope Day was established by the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Association to recognize and acknowledge the CASA volunteers, foster and adoptive parents who have opened up their hearts and homes to abused and neglected children in our community.
• Children's Memorial Flag Day marks its tenth year in 2012 as a remembrance of all the children whose lives were lost over the past year, but particularly those lost by violence.
• Spankout Day, sponsored locally by the Solano Office of Family Violence Prevention, Health and Social Services, Solano Child Abuse Prevention Council and other partners, draws attention to the harm children may suffer from corporal punishment and promoting non-violent ways of teaching children appropriate behavior.
National Library Week (April 14-20) and El Día de los Niños/El Dia de los Libros (April 30) (Attachment D): Solano County Library provides library materials, resources, information, entertainment and life-long learning opportunities to enrich the lives of people of all ages in Solano County. Literacy and reading are the main underpinnings of the service goals of Solano County Library, two themes which are also celebrated during National Library Week. El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds and celebrates children, families and reading.
National Infant Immunization Week (April 20-27) (Attachment E): Thanks to immunization, most parents today have never seen the devastating consequences that vaccine-preventable diseases have on a family or community. But these diseases persist. In fact, recently, the U.S. has experienced outbreaks of whooping cough and measles. Giving children the recommended immunizations by age two is the best way to protect them from 14 serious childhood diseases. To raise awareness about the importance of immunizations, the national Centers for Disease Control has joined with the World Health Organization to declare April 20-27, 2013 as "National Infant Immunization Week," and calls upon local partners to conduct public education activities. Led by Touro University in Vallejo, a number of Solano County partners (including Vallejo City and Vacaville Unified School Districts, Kaiser Permanente, Solano Coalition for Better Health, First 5 Solano, and Solano County Health and Social Services) will staff community events in April to distribute immunization information and engage parents to support their children's timely immunizations.
Month of the Military Child (Attachment F): Since 1986, the U.S. Secretary of Defense has set aside April as the "Month of the Military Child" to share with the world the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Children in military families must deal with having their parents deployed, and with the other unique challenges of adapting to their parents military obligations. Despite these challenges, military children remain strong and resilient. In Solano County, Travis Air Force Base will host its annual Absolute Best Early Childhood Development (ABC) Conference and Parent University.
A calendar of "April Children's Month" community events and observances will be widely distributed so that community members can participate.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission sponsors' community events during April with its Community Engagement fund of up to $300 each for up to 10 events celebrating or commemorating children in Solano County during April 2013. First 5 Solano is funded by Proposition 10 tobacco tax funds. Other agencies are sponsoring or co-sponsoring community events for children in this month. There is no cost to the General Fund for April Children's Month.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the joint resolutions proclaiming 2013 as "Year of the Child" and April 2013 as "Children's Month" in Solano County and related observances to for children. This is not recommended as these declarations encourage and support awareness of children's issues, the need for services for children, their parents and other caregivers in the County, and ways that community residents can directly participate in improving life for Solano's children.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The California State Association of Counties, Solano County Library, First 5 Solano, Children's Network of Solano County, Solano County Local Child Care Planning Council, Solano County Child Abuse Prevention Council (CAPC), Travis Air Force Base, Solano County Licensed Family Child Care Association, Solano District Attorney's Office of Family Violence Prevention, Solano Health, Social Services Department/Child Welfare Services, Solano Coalition for Better Health, Touro University, Kaiser Permanente, local school districts and many other partners have joined together to promote awareness of young children's issues by supporting observances for the many children and families issues commemorated in April of each year. "April Children's Month" activities are being coordinated among numerous local children's agencies and service provider organizations.