Yukon Progress - Yukon Focuses on Child Abuse Prevention

A Yukon focus on preventing child abuse through strong families is helping more than 7,000 children now living, growing and learning in this community.

That’s a key message of “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Yukon.

April was so proclaimed during the March 15th Yukon City Council meeting.

Annette Wisk Jacobi, director of the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth, thanked the City of Yukon for “all you do to support families and for preventing child abuse in the first place.”

“It is so important for all of us to recognize that each one of us has a role to play in supporting parents and making them feel like they can be the best parents,” Jacobi told the audience.

“Because we know children cannot thrive without a healthy, happy and safe home.”

The Child Abuse Prevention Month effort is especially important to Yukon Mayor Shelli Selby.

Selby, a child therapist, referred to “how much our children need us – especially at this time – because there is so much going on with them.”

The Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth – in collaboration with their citywide partners – are engaging individuals and communities in a coordinated effort to prevent child abuse and neglect.

This is being done by “promoting awareness of healthy child development, positive parenting practices and the types of support families need within their communities”, Yukon’s mayor said.

“I encourage all citizens of Yukon to recognize prevention starts with each of us,” said Selby, reading from the proclamation at the March 15th meeting.

The proclamation indicates that “Yukon’s future prosperity depends on nurturing the healthy environment” of this city’s children.

The document signed by Mayor Selby further reads:

• Abuse and neglect of children can cause severe, costly and lifelong problems affecting all of society, including physical and mental health problems, social failure and criminal behavior.
  
  
• Research shows that parents and caregivers who have social networks and know how to seek help in times of trouble are more resilient and better able to provide safe environments and nurturing experiences for their children
  
  
• Individuals, businesses, schools, and faith-based and community. organizations must make children a top priority and take action to support the physical, social, emotional, and educational development and competency of all children.
   

Find the original story and an additional photo located on the Yukon Progress website by clicking here.