by Amanda Rink, Editor
April 7, 2025 – Wright County has officially proclaimed April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month at the most recent Board of Supervisors meeting, reinforcing commitment to ensuring every child grows up safe, supported, and free from harm.
Angela Wesselink, Parent Coordinator for the Building Families Program in Hamilton, Humboldt, and Wright Counties, presented the proclamation request to the Wright County Board of Supervisors on Monday, April 7. “It is cheaper to raise a healthy child than fix a broken adult,” she told the board.
Wesselink laid out the proclamation and the importance of Positive Childhood Experiences, like stable relationships and supportive caregivers, which can counteract the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences, like abuse or neglect. The proclamation also highlights the need for collaboration across county sectors.
“Statistics show 1 in 7 children in the U.S. experience abuse or neglect,” Wesselink shared with The Wright County Monitor. But only 15% of the $33 billion spent on child welfare is allocated to prevention. Shifting focus toward proactive support, like affordable childcare, financial stability, and community-based resources, can create lasting change, according to the Parent Coordinator.
Local programs like Building Families, Parent Connection, and HOPES offer free, voluntary resources to help families manage parenting, child development, economic hardship, and health concerns. These evidence-based initiatives reflect Wright County’s investment in prevention and hope for a brighter future for families.
For more information, contact: Building Families at (515) 602-6371 ext 1, Wright County HOPES and Early Head Start at (515) 532-346, or Parent Connection at (515) 293-0652.
