April is National Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and every spring, we have a valuable opportunity to shine the light on a national epidemic, and work to eliminate child maltreatment in our communities.

The prevalence of child abuse and neglect is often difficult to comprehend.  More than three children are killed by abuse or neglect every day in America , nearly eighty-five percent of whom are under the age of six. In Texas , a child is abused or neglected every eleven minutes.

Like all states, Texas is dealt a heavy blow by child abuse and neglect. San Antonio citizens were shocked recently by the deaths of a brother and sister on the city's South Side -- but they were only two more victims out of the nearly 300 children who die each year in Texas from abuse or neglect. The number of Texas children in foster homes due to maltreatment has increased by 30 percent between 2001 and 2005. Despite legislative reforms made during the 79th Regular Session, our Child Protective Services system and its workforce are still overwhelmed by high caseloads, high caseworker turnover, and the stresses of a job few of us can comprehend.

The lives of child abuse and neglect victims are changed forever -- or destroyed -- by their experiences. Families are torn apart by child maltreatment, which puts a heavy strain on our society, consuming nearly $900 million per year to address child abuse and  neglect, treatment, counseling, and foster care. Some victims experience long-lasting problems that lead to involvement with the criminal justice system. Many fail to reach their potential in school and work. In the most tragic twist of all, some child abuse victims become victimizers themselves.

Breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect must become a national and state priority if we want to save lives as well as resources. Working with my colleagues in the State Senate, I am continuing efforts to increase access to early childhood education and healthcare; to protect children from abuse and neglect; to improve the quality of our Child Protective Services and foster care; and to help abused and neglected children make a transition from the system into a healthy adult life. I am advancing important child abuse prevention programs designed to keep children out of the protective services system in the first place, like the Nurse-Family Partnership.
 
But the legislature cannot end child abuse and neglect on its own. The primary responsibility for protecting children begins and ends in the neighborhoods and communities where they live. You can be the most powerful defense a child has if he or she is being maltreated. But you must act. Know your neighbors. Watch out for the children on your street and in your churches and schools. Get involved with the many community organizations that assist families in need. If you see parents having trouble caring for their children, reach out and offer help. If you witness the signs of child abuse, report your suspicions and assist our law enforcement and protective services in their efforts to investigate.

One act could break the cycle of violence in a family. One call could save the life of a child. If you suspect child abuse or neglect, make a confidential report by calling 1-800-252-5400, or visiting www.txabusehotline.org.

Sen. Carlos Uresti and Local Community LeadersComeTogether for "Blue Sunday"

Over $78,000 Raised for Bexar County 's Foster Children in Care

On April 23rd , local community leaders and I came together and presented a check to the Child Abuse Prevention Month Task Force Co-chairs in the amount of $78,297.50 that will fund this year's Blue Sunday at Sea World for Bexar County children in care.  All the money raised came from donors who saw the need and benefits of giving local foster children a day of fun at Sea World.  The check was presented at a press conference at United Way San Antonio .

I am pleased to see that so many of our local foster children will be able to participate in this year's Blue Sunday.  None of this would have been possible without the generous donations of: AT&T, Americana Ambulance (Jaime & Laura Rios), Bexar County Case Management Coalition, CH2M HILL, Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital Center For Miracles, Councilman Kevin Wolff (District 9), Councilwoman Delicia Herrera (District 6), Councilwoman Elena Guarjardo (District 7), Councilwoman Sheila McNeil (District 2), HEB, HLH Development Harry Hausman, IBC, KENS-5, Leo Hung, Methodist Healthcare Ministries, San Antonio Credit Union, San Antonio Firefighters Benevolent Fund, San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association PAC, Tesoro, United Way San Antonio, University United Methodist Church, and VIA - Metropolitan Transit. Without hesitation, all of them swiftly opened up their hearts and their wallets for our local foster children.

I was joined by Archbishop José H. Gomez, Pastor Emeritus Buckner Fanning, other members of the Bexar County clergy, representatives from Child Protective Services San Antonio, Child Abuse Prevention Month Task Force members, and the many community volunteers who have come together to organize the Blue Sunday event.  All of the money raised will go towards funding the Blue Sunday event at Sea World, where over 2,000 foster children will be able to enjoy a day of fun at no cost.

It gives me great pleasure to know that this year's Blue Sunday in San Antonio will be the largest in it's history, with over 2,000 foster children participating. I want to personally thank all of the donors who participated this year.