4/13/06 -- April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and local and national organizations are spreading the word about the programs and efforts that are succeeding in lessening the prevalence of child abuse and neglect. Child Abuse Prevention Month activities are designed to raise community awareness of the serious consequences of abuse and neglect for our children. With more than 870,000 children in the United States victimized by abuse and neglect in 2004, (according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families), child abuse prevention efforts continue to be vitally important in ensuring that children grow up in safe and nurturing homes.

Most child abuse cases stem from situations exacerbated by poverty, job loss, lack of quality child care and health care, lack of parental support, addiction, and mental health problems—in short, these are stressed and isolated families in need of intervention and services. By providing education and resources, including housing, employment, affordable child care, parenting education, substance abuse, treatment, and mental health programs, communities can improve the lives of vulnerable children and families.

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges has long focused on ways to decrease the incidence of child abuse and neglect. The NCJFCJ is working with 31 Model Courts across the country in its Child Victims Act Model Courts Project, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. This Project works with juvenile and family courts and child welfare agencies all over the country who hear child abuse and neglect cases.  Model Courts are working to implement strategies designed to improve the courts’ and systems’ handling of child abuse and neglect cases to ensure that the safety, well-being, and permanency needs of children before the court are met. Over the last decade, the Model Courts Project has grown in scope and influence. Not only are significant reforms being instituted in each of the Model Court jurisdictions, but those jurisdictions are also sharing their experiences, knowledge, and advice with other jurisdictions around the country. Improved court processes and better outcomes for children and families across the nation are being achieved.

The Second Judicial District Court – Family Division in Reno, Nevada has participated in this national project since September 1995. Judge Deborah Schumacher, Reno Model Court Lead Judge, has made a commitment to bring together court, child welfare, and community partners to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families in your community.  According to Judge Schumacher, "It's not enough to sigh deeply and feel bad for a few moments over a news story of a battered or neglected child. This is not someone else's problem. What we know about child abuse and neglect is chilling. Child victims frequently become psychologically and emotionally damaged adults. These are individual tragedies--but it also has frightening implications for national productivity and safety."
 
Several Model Court jurisdictions across the country are involved and support Child Abuse Prevention Month activities. Many activities are community and child welfare agency-based and include Blue Ribbon ceremonies, press conferences, special family focused events, candlelight vigils, and public awareness campaigns. The Blue Ribbon symbolizes support for child abuse prevention efforts in April and all year long. The NCJFCJ continues to support the activities promoting Child Abuse Prevention Month and encourages continued participation by its judicial members, associate members, and community-based partners at a local, state, and national level.