Rally Against Child Abuse

By: Senator Carlos Uresti

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and while I believe we have made progress, we must remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure every child remains safe and healthy. It’s going to take participation from everyone — from lawmakers to citizens —to fight for those who are too young to fight for themselves.

In fiscal year 2015, Maverick County had twenty substantiated cases of child abuse or neglect with thirty victims, and three full-time caseworkers assigned to the investigations. In addition to conducting thorough investigations for the twenty confirmed cases and protecting the thirty children in their care, these three caseworkers also investigated and ruled out 194 allegations of child abuse.

Last session, I worked with my colleagues to dedicate an additional $37 million to aid prevention services, boosting the total dollars spent on child abuse to $127 million. Next session, I’ll look to further our focus on reducing child abuse and neglect through the wider, and more efficient use of prevention programs that have a track record of success. The legislature will also work to reduce caseworker turnover and the number of cases assigned to each caseworker, which are near crisis level in some areas.

While I believe the state has a duty and responsibility to our children, it takes a community that is dedicated and willing to stand up and play a role. That is why I am asking you to join me, community leaders, and elected officials for a Child Abuse Prevention Rally to raise public awareness and ask for community involvement to combat child abuse.

Child Abuse Prevention Rally
April 30, 2016 11:00am – 2:00pm
Maverick County Lake
2350 E Main Street Eagle Pass, TX 78852

Everyone is encouraged to attend and bring their family members, friends or neighbors to raise public awareness. If you’re with an agency or non-profit that would like to participate, please contact Hellen Martinez in my Eagle Pass district office at 830-758-0294.

Thank you for your support and I hope to see you at the Child Abuse Prevention Rally.

Sen. Uresti represents Senate District 19, which covers more than 35,000 square miles and contains all or part of 17 counties, two international ports of entry, eleven state parks, 51 school districts, 2700 miles of highways, and more than 23,000 producing oil and gas wells in both the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin. The district is larger than 12 states and 82 Nations, and contains over one third of the Texas-Mexico border. Sen. Uresti is proud to serve on the Finance, Natural Resources & Economic Development, Health & Human Services, and Administration Committees. Sen. Uresti also serves on Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform & Relief, Joint Interim Committee to Study a Coastal Barrier System, and Joint Committee on Border Security. Senator Uresti is the first Senator from San Antonio to serve on the Legislative Budget Board.