By Payton Tholstrup

The Cloud County Commission has signed a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. Originally, April was declared as Child Abuse Prevention Month by President Ronald Reagen in 1983. The commissioners also hope to show everyone the important role that Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) play in advocating for children.

NCK CASA trains community volunteers to advocate for children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Once a CASA volunteer is trained, a judge appoints them to a child’s case. NCK Casa serves children in Cloud, Republic, Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, and Washington counties.

Everyone is encouraged to wear blue for “Wear Blue Day” on April 5th this year to show their commitment to preventing child abuse. Blue was chosen in 1989 when Bonnie Finney tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van to honor her grandson, Michael Wayne “Bubba” Dickenson, who lost his life to child abuse. Schools, churches, social service agencies, and more began displaying the blue ribbon to spread awareness. Now, the blue ribbon has become the symbol for national child abuse awareness.