WHEREAS, while children are vital to our state’s future success, prosperity, and quality of life, they are also the most vulnerable members of our society; and
WHEREAS, all children deserve to have the safe, stable, nurturing homes and communities they need to foster their healthy growth and development; and
WHEREAS, preventing child abuse and neglect is a community responsibility that affects both the current and future quality of life of a community; and
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 help to ensure that all children grow to their full potential; and
WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention strategies succeed because of partnerships created among individuals and families, human service agencies, schools, faith communities, health care providers, civic organizations, law enforcement agencies, and the business community; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina calls upon all community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities, elected leaders, businesses, and individuals to increase their participation in efforts to support families, thereby preventing child abuse and strengthening the communities in which we live;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April, 2021, as “CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.