National Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services will recognize April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month with special events to draw attention to this important issue. On Thursday, April 9 county workers will draw attention to the cause by wearing something blue to work. County residents are asked to join in the campaign by dressing in blue.

According to county officials, the Department of Social Services' Child Protection Unit responded to 1,724 cases of alleged child abuse and maltreatment in 2014.  A record number of 178 new reports were received in Cattaraugus County in March 2015.

"Our staff face difficult challenges every day and routinely make critical decisions around child safety and family preservation," said Social Services Commissioner Dan Piccioli about the Child Protective Services staff, "and they don't do it alone." The Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services Child Protective Services Unit partners with various county departments, courts, law enforcement agencies and service providers to assist families whose children are at risk of foster care placement or who are placed in foster care due to immediate safety concerns.

"We are fortunate to have very caring foster parents who are willing to work with birth parents for the best possible outcomes in cases where children have to be placed outside of the home, Piccioli noted.

According to Prevent Child Abuse America, the economic impact of child abuse and neglect is over $103 billion dollars a year and includes the direct cost associated with foster care as well as medical and mental health services, special education and criminal justice services.

While the workers deal with cases reported to them, they are also asking others to recognize the problem by wearing blue on April 9. Those aware of abuse are asked to help by calling the New York State Child Abuse and Maltreatment Register at 1-800-342-3720. To find out about becoming a foster parent, call the Cattaraugus County Home Finder at 701-3664.

For more information on National Child Abuse Prevention Month visit https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/