WHEREAS, child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our community, and finding solutions requires input and action from everyone; and

WHEREAS, child abuse can have long-term psychological, emotional, and physical effects that have lasting consequences for victims; and

WHEREAS, prevention is possible, and with strong policies and investments, families and children can thrive, fostering prevention, stability and long-term well-being; and

WHEREAS, supporting families early through protective factors – which are conditions that reduce or eliminate risk and promote the social, emotional, and developmental well-being of children – reduces the need for a crisis response, improves lifelong outcomes, strengthens communities, and saves public dollars and costly downstream interventions across multiple systems; and

WHEREAS, effective child abuse prevention activities succeed because of the partnerships created between child welfare professionals, education, health, community- and faith-based organizations, businesses, law enforcement agencies, and families; and

WHEREAS, we acknowledge that we must work together as a community to increase awareness about what families need before they are in crisis and contribute to promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment; and

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2026 as

Child Abuse Prevention Month

in Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize that child abuse is preventable and that a healthy and prosperous society depends on strong families and communities.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this tenth day of March Two Thousand Twenty-Six