Adams County proclaims Fair Housing Month and National Public Health Week; health director, partners highlight prevention work

The Adams County Board of County Commissioners opened its April 7 meeting by proclaiming April 2026 as Fair Housing Month and National Public Health Week and by recognizing Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.

Commissioner Baka read the Fair Housing Month proclamation, citing the 58th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and urging local agencies and residents to uphold equal housing opportunities. Commissioner Pinter read the National Public Health Week proclamation and invited the county health leadership to speak.

Dr. Kelly Weidenbach, director of the Adams County Health Department, told the commissioners the department has built a “strong and responsive local public‑health infrastructure” in the last three years, expanding immunizations, environmental‑health protections, behavioral‑health services and emergency‑response capacity. “Public health is the foundation that allows our communities to be healthy, safe, happy, and thriving,” she said.

Carrie Daget, division director for child, adult and family services at Adams County Human Services, spoke after the child‑abuse proclamation. Daget described the 2026 prevention theme, “Pinwheels of Possibility,” and said county prevention teams, community development and partners provide outreach and supports to more than 10,000 families annually to reduce entries into the child‑welfare system.

Stephanie Sickler, a deputy district attorney in the 17th Judicial District, described prosecutorial work with the DA’s child‑victims unit and emphasized collaboration with Rston House, law enforcement and CASA to support young victims. “When he came forward, he lost his friends, he lost family,” Sickler said, recounting one case that ended in a guilty verdict and a difficult but meaningful courtroom moment.

Alex Condos, division chief in the Adams County Sheriff’s Office investigations division, said law enforcement often serves as a first line of defense in reporting and investigating child‑abuse allegations and urged continued cross‑agency collaboration. Vicki Record, CEO of CASA, urged volunteers to help children who enter the system and invited residents to a May 1 volunteer event.

The board recessed briefly for group photos with proclamation participants and then moved on to other agenda business. No members of the public signed up for public comment on the proclamations.

The meeting record shows the board thanked health‑department and human‑services staff and reaffirmed the county’s focus on prevention and interagency partnerships to support community safety and well‑being.