Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus Supports National Child Abuse Prevention Month

In recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Orange County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) will be displaying pinwheels at the Orange County Government Center and various locations throughout the County. The pinwheel is a national symbol of a happy and carefree childhood, which every child deserves. It has also come to symbolize the important role we all play in helping to prevent child abuse.

"As we observe National Child Abuse Prevention Month, these pinwheels remind us of our collective responsibility to protect and nurture our children," said Neuhaus. "Every child deserves a safe, carefree childhood, and we must work together to help make that a reality. The Orange County Child Advocacy Center is a vital resource in our community that helps to promote healing and prevent abuse, and I am proud to support their ongoing efforts to create safer, stronger futures for our youth."

Lacey Trimble, Orange County Commissioner of Social Services and Mental Health, emphasized that abuse can take many forms. "It can be physical, sexual, emotional, neglectful, or sometimes a combination of these," she said. "However, it is also preventable. As a community, we have must work to support children's well-being and prevent child abuse whenever possible."

The Orange County CAC serves as a critical hub for healing, providing a safe and supportive environment for youth and families facing distressing circumstances. The CAC offers a child-friendly process for children who have experienced abuse, supported by a dedicated multidisciplinary team specializing in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse perpetrators, as well as the treatment of abuse victims.

In 2024, the CAC served over 600 children, offering them mental health services, medical exams, and advocacy at no cost to their families. The center also connects youth and their non-offending caregivers with a range of services and community resources. Additionally, the CAC participates in over 30 community outreach and education events throughout the county each year.

"The Orange County Department of Social Services and our partner agencies work every day to support families with the goal of preventing abuse," said Trimble. "When children experience abuse, the essential support provided to both the children and their non-offending family members is crucial in helping them begin the healing process."

The Orange County Child Advocacy Center remains committed to ending child abuse and uses National Child Abuse Prevention Month to remind us that we all have a role to play in ensuring every child has the chance to experience a happy, safe childhood.

For more information, contact Rebecca Sheehan, Assistant to County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus and Director of Public Information and Media Relations, at 845.291.2700 or [email protected].

To stay updated on County Executive Neuhaus' initiatives, follow Orange County Government and Steven M. Neuhaus on Facebook, @OrangeCountyNYGovt and @steve.neuhaus on Instagram, and @OCGovNY and @SNeuhausOC on X. You can also watch Neuhaus' NeuCast podcasts and Leadership Speaker Series on YouTube.

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Government Center, Goshen

Harriman Drive, Goshen

Matthews Street, Goshen