April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

It takes each and every one of us to prioritize the safety and well-being of our children and families.

In the past year, Lake County Child Welfare Services received approximately 1,500 reports of abuse or neglect. Currently, the Lake County Child Welfare Services reports that 72 children/youth in Lake County are placed outside their parents' homes due to abuse or neglect.

According to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, each year in the United States, over 4.2 million referrals are made to child protective services for child abuse and neglect, impacting an estimated 7.5 million children. This reality emphasizes the importance of community-driven action and awareness.

In observance of Child Abuse Prevention Month, numerous events and activities are planned throughout April.

From the Pinwheel Challenge to children's festivals at Library Park in Lakeport on April 13th and Austin Park in Clearlake on April 27, we are dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the importance of child safety.

At the Lake County Office of Education, we are proud to be actively engaged in initiatives aimed at preventing child abuse and supporting families.

This includes the Lake County Children's Council-Building Resilient Lake County, the Nurturing Families Program, and various other local initiatives. We are committed to fostering environments where children can thrive and grow free from harm.

I encourage our community members to join us in keeping Lake County children safe. Let us stand together in solidarity against child abuse, and work to create safe and nurturing environments for all children.

Brock Falkenberg is Lake County superintendent of schools.