CULLMAN, Ala. – Mayor Woody Jacobs on Thursday, April 10, 2025, proclaimed the month of April 2025 “Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month” in the city of Cullman. The proclamation was presented to Samantha Way of Brooks’ Place/The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman, Inc. and Tammy Watson, Melissa Betts, Dakota Trammell and Cayla-Grace Murphy of The Link of Cullman County.
Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month is an annual observance aimed at raising awareness of child abuse and neglect and taking action to prevent it. During Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Month, and throughout the year, communities are encouraged to work together to support and strengthen families and prevent maltreatment of children.
“The welfare of children in our community is important to all of us,” said Jacobs. “I am grateful that there are so many organizations in Cullman who make it their mission to support families and prevent child abuse and neglect.”
In Alabama, the Department of Public Health lists child abuse and neglect as the No. 9 health concern. Rates have been increasing in recent years. In 2021, there were 26,116 reported cases of child abuse or neglect investigated in Alabama; and many cases that are never reported. To make child abuse less likely to occur, we must invest in our community and our families. Each year, Brooks’ Place, The Link of Cullman County, Cullman County CASA, DHR, Cullman Caring for Kids and other local agencies work to educate others about child maltreatment and raise awareness about the impact child abuse has on children and society.
Providing information about best practices that are known to build parental capacity through protective factors is key to helping families become more resilient. Protective factors are conditions or attributes that mitigate or eliminate maltreatment risk factors and can increase the health and well-being of children and families. They give parents the tools they need to parent effectively, even under stress. Protective factors include nurturing and attachment, knowledge of parenting and child youth development, parental resilience, social connections and concrete supports for parents.
“I encourage all citizens to read and learn about the signs of child abuse and neglect and to educate themselves on how to report these issues,” said Jacobs. “By working together, we can better protect children and strengthen families in our community.”
He continued, “As I say each year, Cullman is fortunate to have so many people and organizations who seek to help children and families dealing with abuse and neglect. We appreciate them all!”
For more information on these agencies, you can visit:
- Child Advocacy Center (Brooks’ Place): www.cullmancac.com
- The Link of Cullman County: www.linkingcullman.org
- Cullman County CASA: www.cullmancaringforkids.com/casa.html
- Cullman County DHR: www.dhr.alabama.gov
- Cullman Caring for Kids: www.cullmancaringforkids.com
For more information about National Child Abuse Prevention Month, visit www.childwelfare.gov/preventionmonth.
