At Monday’s meeting of the Brown County Commissioners Court, April was declared “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.” Statistics presented show that in 2024 the State of Texas had over 50,000 cases of child abuse and 99 fatalities. Brown County had 167 confirmed victims of child abuse and one fatality in 2024. In attendance at the meeting was a large crowd of advocates for “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month,” including representatives from the Brown County Child Welfare Board, Child Protective Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates, 2INGage (foster care), and Howard Payne University social work students.
Along a sidewalk in front of the courthouse is the “Walk of Education,” which includes signs with information about child abuse, and 167 pair of children’s shoes, representing the 167 victims of child abuse in Brown County last year.
Full text of the child abuse proclamation adopted by the Commissioners is shown below.
In other business:
*** Commissioners agreed to lift the Burn Ban for now, because of the recent rains. The burn ban may be reinstated later if conditions dry out again.
*** Commissioners voted to donate to the Brown County Youth Fair and Rodeo Association a 1986 International model #1754 one-thousand gallon water truck.
*** Commissioners voted to abandon a portion of County Road 567, also known as Eidlebach Road, just off Highway 279 south of the Lake Brownwood bridge. Precinct 4 Commissioner Larry Traweek said the road, about 120-ft. long, is not used, has not been maintained, and is not passable.
2025 CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION AND AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION
Children thrive in safe, stable, nurturing families, withing their own Texas communities. While it is critical to build a system that supports families when they are in a crisis, intentionally supporting families before they are in crisis is essential to preventing the abuse and maltreatment of Texas children. Through establishing partnerships with families that capitalize on the collective strengths of parents and their children we can build strong, healthy families and resilient communities where children can thrive.
Sadly, child maltreatment is still a significant public health issue. Last year the state of Texas had 53,543 confirmed victims of child abuse with 99 fatalities. Region 2 of the state had 2.367 confirmed cases with 2 fatalities. Brown County had 167 confirmed victims of child abuse with 1 fatality. The number of children in foster care for the state was 15,798 with 935 of those children removed from homes in our region. 91 children from Brown County were in care.
Despite the complex factors that can lead to child maltreatment, it can be prevented.
Each year, the month of April is dedicated to recognizing the critical work being done across our great state to support families before a crisis occurs and offer them accessible lifelines that mitigate the challenges they face. Child abuse prevention occurs every day through the diligent work and tireless advocacy groups, nonprofit organizations, schools, health-care providers, social workers, and government agencies to support children and families in every community across the Lone Star State.
Child abuse prevention cannot be tasked to one community, agency, or system. Behind many families that succeeded is a strong community that provided a way for the family to become self-sufficient, stable, and thrive. All Texans must work together to strengthen our communities and build localized supports that are accessible, contribute to the well-being of the entire community, and keep children and families safe and together. I encourage all Texans to learn more about the many aspects of our communities working hard to create positive, healthy environments for the future leaders of our great state and nation. Together, we can create a brighter future for children, families, and communities in Texas and ensure tomorrow’s leaders have the support they need to thrive and reach their potential.
Therefore, We, the Commissioners Court of Brown County, Texas, do hereby proclaim April 2025 to be Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, and urge the appropriate recognition whereof.
In official recognition of this, I hereby affix by signature this the 7th day of April 2025.
Shane Britton, Brown County Judge