Body
WHEREAS, an estimated 906,000 children are victims of abuse and neglect every year in the United States alone leaving scars in a child's life that can be long lasting and can often lead to future child abuse; and,
WHEREAS, Dr. Mary Carrasco leads a highly experienced team at A Child's Place at Mercy which is a fully accredited Allegheny County Child Advocacy Center of the National Children's Alliance; and,
WHEREAS, with more than 75 years of combined experience, A Child's Place at Mercy focuses on providing care to children who are suspected of having been sexually, physically or emotionally abused, neglected or have had inappropriate internet contact all of which is determined through a process known as a "forensic interview"; and,
WHEREAS, since 1988, A Child's Place at Mercy has maintained an open-door policy which has helped to serve over 25,000 children and helped to see an estimated 800 children annually; and,
WHEREAS, in addition to serving children, A Child's Place takes a proactive stance by providing training to community organizations and professionals such as police officers, probation and parole officers, teachers and school staff; and,
Title
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby commend A Child's Place at Mercy and their experienced staff for their commitment to abolishing child abuse and hereby declares the month of April as "Child Abuse Prevention Month"; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Tuesday, April 6, 2010, to be "A Child's Place" in the City of Pittsburgh.