Montgomery County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month, spotlights advocacy and prevention services

County leaders and child advocates gathered April 28 as the Montgomery County Council read a proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month and highlighted local services, volunteer programs and prevention priorities.

Luisa Cordona, introduced as the county executive’s representative, said prevention ‘‘means real support’’ such as affordable childcare, stable housing and accessible mental-health care and urged the community to ‘‘meet people where they are, in the language they speak, and in the neighborhoods where they live.’’

Representatives of local child-advocacy organizations described services they provide. The Treehouse Child Advocacy Center and Voices for Children Montgomery County were singled out for their roles in medical evaluations, forensic interviews, mental-health services and court-appointed advocacy. Voices for Children said it recruits and trains roughly 200 local volunteers each year to serve as court-appointed special advocates.

Oscar Mensa, the county social services officer, thanked front-line workers and said the work ‘‘saves lives’’ and restores hope for children and families who have experienced maltreatment.

The proclamation, read by council staff and presented during the council session, notes the county’s 24-hour Child Abuse and Neglect reporting hotline ((240) 777-4417) and directs residents to county contacts for general information ((240) 777-3500). It was signed on behalf of County Executive Mark Elrich and Council President Natalie Fannie Gonzalez.

The council framed the proclamation as a prompt to bolster prevention services and community partnerships among schools, social services, law enforcement and non‑profits rather than as a directive for immediate legislative action.