Orange County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; SSA cites nearly 55,000 hotline calls

The Orange County Board of Supervisors on April 9 issued a proclamation declaring April Child Abuse Prevention Month and recognized the Social Services Agency and community partners for their work protecting children.

Chairman Wagner introduced the proclamation and invited Jothi Atlere, identified by the chair as the county Social Services Agency director for children and family services, to the podium. Vice Chair Doug Chaffee and Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento joined the recognition.

Atlere, speaking on behalf of the Social Services Agency, said the agency responded to “nearly 55,000 calls regarding child abuse or neglect” between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, and that the agency received “almost 11,000 reports of abuse or neglect from mandated reporters such as teachers, therapists, law enforcement, relatives, and members of the public.” She also said the county currently operates 16 family resource centers that provide education, outreach and services to children and families.

Supervisor Sarmiento cited county figures for his district and said prevention requires collaborative community efforts. He told the board that District 2 had 633 youth in foster care placements and 623 child-abuse and neglect referrals; he said 82% of those referrals were in the Latino community.

Vice Chair Chaffee emphasized community responsibility and provided the county hotline number for reporting suspected abuse, saying residents should call (714) 940-1000 to report concerns.

Board members framed the proclamation as both recognition of ongoing services and a call to expand prevention and family-support programs. No board action beyond the ceremonial proclamation was taken on this item; the board moved on to other ceremonial recognitions and then to the consent calendar.