Resolution 260274

..Title Honoring the Philadelphia Children's Alliance (PCA) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) for Their Collaboration in Preventing Child Abuse and Supporting Philadelphia Children and Families During Child Abuse Prevention Month in the City of Philadelphia. ..Body WHEREAS, For over three decades, the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Department of Human Services have worked diligently to provide safe, healthy, justice-oriented, and supportive environments for children and families affected by child abuse, exploitation, and violence; and WHEREAS, PCA is the first and only Child Advocacy Center (CAC) in the City of Philadelphia which operates a co-located facility in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Human Services, the Philadelphia Police Special Victims Unit, the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and St. Christopher's Hospital for Children; and WHEREAS, PCA's mission extends beyond intervention by providing prevention training, community education, and resources to caregivers, professionals, and partner agencies to build awareness and reduce the incidence of child abuse; and WHEREAS, PCA works with these entities to deliver comprehensive services at no cost to families, including forensic interviews, victim advocacy, trauma therapy, medical care, and court accompaniment, creating a centralized, victim-centered approach to addressing child sexual abuse and exploitation and ensuring that children receive holistic support; and WHEREAS, Serving as the Northeast Regional Children's Advocacy Center (NRCAC), PCA provides training and technical assistance to CACs and multidisciplinary teams across nine states, strengthening child protection efforts beyond Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and PCA and DHS continues its leadership in advocacy by raising awareness, promoting education, and ensuring that children and families have access to vital services and resources; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and recognizes the Philadelphia Children's Alliance and the Department of Human Services during Child Abuse Prevention Month in April for its dedication to ensuring safety, healing, and justice for children and families affected by child abuse. FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Philadelphia Children's Alliance as evidence of the sincere sentiment of this legislative body. ..End