Recognizing and honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance for their commitment to promoting healing and justice for victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2014 to be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Over the past 20 years, the Philadelphia Children's Alliance (PCA) has advocated for a team-based approach, built cooperative relationships, introduced efficiencies into the system to provide rapid response and effectively changed how abused children are served and cared for in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Children's Alliance became a full member of the National Children's Alliance (NCA) in 1992 and was accredited by NCA in 2001. Today, PCA not only meets all NCA standards, but is a national best standards model for peer agencies nationwide; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Children's Alliance exists to create a more effective and caring response to children who have been sexually abused, and is dedicated to providing justice and healing for sexually abused children, working to protect victims, ending the cycle of abuse and improving the quality of abuse investigations; and

WHEREAS, Recently, PCA relocated to the Philadelphia Safety Collaborative within the Seventh Councilmanic District along with the Department of Human Services, the Special Victims Unit and the District Attorney's Office. This new facility allows for more stream lined investigations and a less traumatic experience for children; and

WHEREAS, This year PCA is on target to see approximately 2,400 cases, giving victims an opportunity to go to a safe place, tell their story, receive support services and begin the process of healing; and

WHEREAS, April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and PCA recognizes this month by promoting increased knowledge of the resources available to parents and caregivers to prevent child maltreatment and promote well-being; and

WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Children's Alliance is the only primary intervention organization in Philadelphia working with child victims of sexual abuse and this mandate to increase capacity is driven by a critical need for PCA's services to help protect the children and families they serve and so that children can quickly get the help they need to live safe, fulfilling lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council hereby recognizes, honors and celebrates the Philadelphia Children's Alliance for their commitment to promoting healing and justice for victims of child sexual abuse in Philadelphia and declaring April 2014 to be Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia. We extend the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body and we thank you for your Organization's contributions to better the lives of our City's youth.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Children's Alliance as a sincere expression of the appreciation of this body.

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