Will County Gazette

Illinois State Rep. Jackie Haas (R-Kankakee) is raising awareness for the month of April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month and urging families to work together to prevent child abuse.

According to The Southland Journal, the month of April is recognized as National Child Abuse Prevention Month by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

“Child abuse is a terrible evil that impacts too many innocent lives each year,” Haas said, according to The Southland Journal. “Child Abuse Prevention Month reminds communities of their responsibilities to look after our most vulnerable neighbors and know when you see something, you must say something. This can have lifesaving effects. We can and must end child abuse in our communities so all Illinois children can live in safety.”

The Child Welfare Information Gateway and Children’s Bureau reports the most common type of maltreatment is neglect, adding "identifying protective factors help parents find resources, support or coping strategies that allow them to parent effectively—even under stress."

Haas also took a moment to observe National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week for the week of April 9-15.

"This week, we honor the men and women behind the scenes, on the other end of the phone, who help keep us all safe," Haas wrote in an April 10 Facebook post. "Thank you to all of our 911 dispatchers for the difficult work you all do each and every day!"

Haas recently announced in a press release that she plans to continue hosting satellite office hours in the northern part of her 79th District in Monee and host additional traveling office hours monthly in Park Forest. Haas’ main district office will remain located in Kankakee. 

“It’s a top priority of mine to ensure that all 79th District residents have access to the services my state office provides,” Haas said, according to the press release. "I’m happy constituents in the northern part of the district will have further access and opportunity to connect with my office.”