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Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming April 2024 as “Children’s Month” to commemorate observances for children during the month of April; and Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming April 2024 as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect (Supervisor Hannigan)
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Published Notice Required? Yes_______ No __X___
Public Hearing Required? Yes_______ No ___X___
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
First 5 Solano recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming April 2024 as “Children’s Month” to commemorate observances for children during the month of April; and
2. Adopt and present a resolution proclaiming April 2024 as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
SUMMARY:
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 addition, this item brings forward a separate resolution to recognize April as “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” to acknowledge the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with the adoption of the resolutions.
DISCUSSION:
Each year in April as part of April Children’s Month, community partners across Solano County join together to support activities and events that raise awareness about critical children’s issues, as well as celebrate and commemorate children, including:
Autism Acceptance Month: Autism Acceptance Month, previously named Autism Awareness Month, emphasizes the need for public awareness to promote acceptance, celebrate the differences, and be more inclusive towards individuals with autism. Celebrate Autism Acceptance Month by lighting up a blue light all month long.
Week of the Young Child (April 6-12, 2024): The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. Join NAEYC, Solano County Office of Education’s Early Learning Division, and First 5 Solano on Social Media during the week of April 6-12th for events and activities that celebrate our youngest learners.
National Library Week (April 7-13) and El Dia de los Libros (April 30): National Library Week is celebrated in partnership with Solano County Libraries and recognizes the enormous value our libraries provide every day, including books to read, valuable tools and resources, and their dedication to meeting the demands of today’s technology and ever-expanding volumes of knowledge. April 30th is recognized as El Día de los Niños/El Día de los Libros, also known simply as Día, as a celebration of children, families, and reading. Día emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, linking families to diverse books, languages and cultures. Join the library in celebrating El Día de los Niños/ Día de los Libros through programs at the various library branches during the week of April 23-30.
Month of the Military Child: April is Month of the Military Child-a time to honor the sacrifices made by military families worldwide, with an emphasis on the experience of children of military members serving at home and overseas. Although it is celebrated throughout the month of April, April 15, 2024 is designated as “Purple Up!” day recognizing all branches of the military. This brings the opportunity for community partnerships with our local military at Travis Air Force Base to educate the public on the impacts of deployment, creating community support networks, delivering educational, recreational and social outreach programs and ensuring that military youth become part of ongoing programs offered our community.
In addition to April 2024 being recognized as “Children’s Month,” the Board is being asked to adopt a resolution proclaiming April 2024 as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Solano Child Abuse Prevention Council sponsors the Solano Blue Ribbon Campaign each April during Child Abuse Prevention Month to heighten Solano County’s residents’ awareness of child abuse and the need to support families in child abuse prevention. In addition, the following observances related to child abuse prevention are recognized:
Children’s Memorial Flag Day (April 26): The Children’s Memorial Day was established by the California Assembly in April 1997, which formally declares the fourth Friday in April as a statewide annual observance day. On the fourth Friday in April every year, the Children’s Memorial Flag is flown statewide in memory of all the young lives lost in California due to violence in the previous year. This is a day of remembrance set aside to recognize the national tragedy of violence against children. The Children’s Memorial Flag will be raised in the courtyard at Solano County Health & Social Services at 275 Beck Ave., Fairfield, on April 26, with a small gathering to observe a moment of silence and reflection to honor the young lives lost to violence.
Children’s Light of Hope Day (April 18): Children’s Light of Hope Day was established by the National Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)/guardian ad litem (GAL) Association to recognize and acknowledge the CASA volunteers, foster parents, and adoptive parents who have opened their hearts and homes to abused and neglected children in our community. CASA invites everyone to recognize Children’s Light of Hope Day in Solano County by lighting a virtual candle and posting it on social media throughout the day on April 18th.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt the resolutions proclaiming April 2024 as “Children’s Month” and “National Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Solano County and acknowledgement of related observances for children. This is not recommended as these declarations recognize and support awareness of children’s issues, promotes services available for children, their parents and other caregivers in the County and provides ways that community residents can support improvements in the programs and policies that enrich the quality of life for Solano’s children.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Solano County Library, Solano County Health & Social Services, Solano County Office of Education, Solano Child Abuse Prevention Council, Children’s Network of Solano County, Solano County Local Child Care Planning Council, Travis Air Force Base, Solano County Licensed Family Child Care Association, 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” and National Child Abuse Prevention Month” activities are being coordinated among numerous local children’s agencies and service provider organizations.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION