Reps. Bellino, Farrington, Vaupel, Hughes, Reilly, Noble, Garcia, Hornberger, Sheppard, VanSingel, Hoitenga, Kelly, Pagan, Hernandez, Hammoud, Hoadley, Hertel, Chirkun, Robinson, Cochran, Rabhi, Lilly, Cambensy, LaSata, Calley, Green, Yanez, Sabo, Gay-Dagnogo, Miller, Rendon, Tedder, Wittenberg, Moss, Camilleri, Brann, Jones, Kosowski, Clemente, Albert, Cole, Yaroch, VanderWall, Allor, Bizon, Brinks, Chang, Cox, Crawford, Faris, Geiss, Greig, Greimel,  Howrylak, Kahle, Lasinski, Liberati, Marino, Maturen, Phelps, Singh, Sneller, Webber and Zemke offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 290.

            A resolution to declare April 2018 as Child Abuse Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Child abuse is considered to be one of our state and nation’s most serious public health problems with scientific studies documenting the link between the abuse and neglect of children and a wide range of medical, emotional, psychological and behavioral disorders such as depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, severe obesity and juvenile delinquency; and

            Whereas, Child abuse prevention organizations encourage all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Michigan a better place for children and families by ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children; and

            Whereas, Promoting family functioning/resiliency, social support systems, nurturing and attachment, and knowledge of parenting/child development all are known protective factors which prevent child mistreatment and help to strengthen families; and

            Whereas, Organizations statewide work diligently to raise awareness of child abuse and remind everyone of the bright future all children deserve; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare April 2018 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in the state of Michigan.