A call to protect the county’s most vulnerable residents took center stage Monday morning as the Okmulgee County Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, emphasizing that safeguarding children is a responsibility shared by the entire community.
The proclamation, presented during the board’s regular April 6 meeting at the county courthouse, underscored both the seriousness of child maltreatment and the importance of prevention through awareness, education and collaboration.
— A Community-Wide Responsibility
Reading the proclamation aloud, commissioners outlined the sobering realities of abuse while also stressing that many cases are preventable when communities are engaged and supportive.
“Child maltreatment is a community problem and finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community,” the proclamation stated.
The document further noted that abuse often occurs when families face overwhelming stress without access to adequate resources.
“Child maltreatment occurs when parents find themselves in stressful situations without community resources and unable to cope,” the proclamation continued. “The effects of child maltreatment are felt by the whole community and need to be addressed by the entire community. “We … do hereby proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month… and urge all citizens, community agencies, faith groups, medical facilities and businesses to increase their participation in efforts to prevent child maltreatment and strengthen the communities in which we live.”
The measure was approved unanimously.
Keyna Richardson, director of the Okmulgee County Family Resource Center (CASA), addressed the board and provided insight into local prevention efforts. She explained that her organization stepped forward to coordinate this year’s proclamation and awareness activities during a transitional period for the Okmulgee/ Okfuskee Youth Services.
Richardson emphasized that raising awareness is a key step in prevention, noting that education and community involvement can significantly reduce instances of abuse and neglect.
She also announced an upcoming community event aimed at bringing visibility to the issue.
A Pinwheel Ceremony – a nationally recognized symbol of child abuse prevention – will be held at noon on April 17 in front of the courthouse. The event is designed to honor children, raise awareness and encourage community engagement.
Child Abuse Prevention Month, observed nationwide each April, focuses on strengthening families and preventing harm before it occurs. Organizations such as CASA, CREOKS and OOCYS, work closely with courts, schools and social service agencies to advocate for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
Prevention strategies often include:
• Providing parenting education and family support programs
• Ensuring access to mental health and substance abuse resources
• Strengthening economic stability for families • Encouraging community members to recognize and report signs of abuse — Commissioners tackle regular agenda In addition to the proclamation, commissioners handled a range of regular agenda items during the meeting.
The board approved:
• Minutes from the March 30 meeting
• Officers’ reports, including those from county offices and the health department
• Blanket purchase orders for district operations and general county expenses
• Employee-related actions, including employment updates and a sick leave donation
• Utility permits across multiple districts
• Private property agreements in District 1
• Reimbursement claims for the district attorney and election board secretary A proposed lease agreement with Leaf Capital Funding for a copier for the OSU Extension office was tabled pending clarification from the district attorney’s office regarding contract terms.
Commissioners noted there was no report from Emergency Management due to the absence of Director Jeffrey Moore.
With no additional new business presented, the board voted to enter executive session to discuss confidential matters related to real property, as permitted under Oklahoma law.
