WHEREAS, One out of every five substantiated cases in the state is a child from Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, The link between child abuse and juvenile delinquency has been well documented and children who have been victimized by abuse, neglect, and abandonment often suffer the downward spiral of school failure, illness and welfare dependency; and
WHEREAS, The developmental delays, educational and behavioral dysfunction that can result from abuse and neglect corrode a community's structure and stability; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Dependency Court and the Philadelphia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program of the Juvenile Justice Center of Pennsylvania have made significant advances in insuring the protection and well-being of abused and neglected children, and have been instrumental in working to secure for them a safe, permanent, loving home all children need and deserve, now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby support and congratulate the Philadelphia Family Court and the Philadelphia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program for their recognition of the month of April as the official Philadelphia Child Abuse Prevention Month and for their continued efforts and success on behalf of the children and families of Philadelphia. We further encourage the media and all citizens to join with Philadelphia CASA and the court in their work to prevent abuse, and in nurturing vulnerable children to preserve and enhance the future viability of our City.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program of the Juvenile Justice Center of Pennsylvania in recognition of their efforts and advocacy for the improvement of the lives of the children and families of Philadelphia.
End