More than 230 pinwheels were placed Monday in the median across from the Pittsburg County Courthouse in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month, following a proclamation by county commissioners.
The pinwheels remind the community of its role in preventing child abuse and supporting healthy families throughout April.
During their regular meeting on Monday, commissioners unanimously approved the proclamation. Andrea Arnold, with Ryan’s House, read the proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Pittsburg County, which states:
“Whereas children are vital to our state’s future, success, prosperity, and quality of life, as well as being our most vulnerable assets.
Whereas all children deserve to have the safe, stable, and nurturing homes and communities they need to foster their healthy growth and development.
Whereas child abuse and neglect are a community responsibility affecting both the current and future quality of life of a community.
Whereas communities that provide parents with the social support, knowledge of parenting and child development, and concrete resources they need to cope with stress and nurture their Children ensure all children grow to their full potential.
Whereas effective child abuse prevention strategies succeed because of partnerships created among citizens, human service agencies, schools, faith-based communities, health care providers, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community.
Therefore, we, the Pittsburg County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month within Pittsburg County, State of Oklahoma, and call upon all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, and businesses to increase their participation in our efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the communities in which we live.”
After the proclamation, public officials, staff members and others gathered inside the courthouse’s main entrance, then walked to the center median along Carl Albert Parkway, where they set up signs and 237 pinwheels to draw attention to Child Abuse Awareness Month.
Each pinwheel represents a child Ryan’s House served. The facility allows child welfare professionals to provide services to abuse victims while helping children feel safer.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Abuse Hotline is 1-800-522-3511.