A few hundred blue and silver pinwheels adorned a garden near the State Capitol last Thursday in Lansing as a symbol of Michigan's commitment to prevent child abuse and neglect.
With the theme "The Power of One," the rally brought together the prevention community to draw attention to the 37,242 children who were confirmed to have been abused or neglected in Michigan in 2016. Gov. Rick Snyder proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
"Through the strength of one action, one dollar, one person, one organization and, yes, one rally, we can make a positive difference in preventing child abuse and neglect in Michigan," said Michael Foley, executive director of the Children's Trust Fund, which organized the event.
Part of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Children's Trust Fund promotes child abuse prevention efforts and provides funding to effective local prevention programs.
Nationally, the cost of child abuse and neglect is about $124 billion per year, or about $1,400 for each American family.
"Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Day brings together as one voice state and local government, public and private agencies, the business community and the public," said MDHHS Director Nick Lyon. "The coordinated approach to prevention represented here today is exactly the approach that's needed to help children grow up safe and healthy."
Other event speakers included: Children's Trust Fund Board Chair Randy Richardville, State Senators Judy Emmons and Curtis Hertel Jr. and MDHHS Office of Interagency Collaboration Director Bill Hardiman.
Parent leader Mary Fales talked about losing a child to unsafe infant sleep. The rally also highlighted the importance of safe sleep. Approximately 150 infants per year in Michigan die due to sleep-related deaths. To avoid these deaths, infants should be placed to sleep on their backs, in a crib or pack-and-play of their own that is free of objects such as blankets and stuffed animals.
"Preventing and eradicating child abuse is imperative if we want our children to grow and thrive and succeed," Emmons said. "It needs to be priority one for our schools, churches, service organizations, families and, indeed, each and every one of us. Our children are depending on us!"
Hertel said: "There is nothing more important than protecting children from harm. We have a responsibility to stand up for Michigan's kids, and supporting the Children's Trust Fund will help keep our young people healthy and safe."
Event sponsors included Grand Traverse Pie Company, The Lansing Area Exchange Club, Initiating Communities Helping Area Neighborhoods Gain Empowerment (ICHANGE), Lansing Community College, Cottage Inn Pizza, Absopure Water and Stan Setas Produce.
The Children's Trust Fund was established by the Michigan Legislature in 1982 through Public Act 249 of 1982 and Public Act 250 of 1982. It serves as a voice for Michigan's children and families and promotes their health, safety and welfare by funding effective local programs and services that prevent child abuse and neglect.
On May 17 at 5 p.m. the Children's Trust Fund will hold its annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction Event at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing to raise money to prevent child abuse.
For more information or to make a tax-deductible donation to support the Children's Trust Fund, visit www.michigan.gov/ctf.
Published: Mon, May 01, 2017
