County declares Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month

The Bandera County Commissioners Court approved a resolution declaring April 2022 as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

During the court’s March 24 meeting, County Judge Richard Evans and the other commissioners thanked Bandera Emergency Management Coordinator Carey Reed for her hard work with the Child Welfare Board.

“We appreciate what she’s done. There’s a lot of work that goes in to get kids help. A lot of work and a lot of time; not only as a county employee, but also as a volunteer.” said Evans.

Reed told the court there would be a ceremony on April 1 starting at 4 p.m. in front of the Bandera County Courthouse.

“We’ll read the proclamation and we’ll put up the pinwheels, and we’ll have a banner up there too,” she said. “There will be a pinwheel for each of 32 children that are in CPS care in Bandera County. Pinwheels symbolize childhood happiness and whimsy. These awareness pinwheels can be handed out to students, church groups, and members of social service organizations as a physical and poignant reminder of the bright futures all children deserve.”

She also said there would be a procession around town following ceremony.

Evan’s responded, “We have to realize that child abuse and neglect is a real problem. Every child we have in there is a result of bad parenting. “It seems the only court where we punish the victim, instead of punishing the perpetrator.”

The Bandera County Child Welfare Board (BCCWB) promotes the protection, care, health, and well-being of children. It is a crucial board that works with and reports to the Bandera County Commissioner’s Court and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. They receive their funding solely through jury donations from Bandera County Courts.

The organization works with the Republican Women’s Group and St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church on the Angel Tree program for Bandera County children that are in CPS custody or Family Based Care. They also partner with Triple H Equitherapy to have Breakfast with Santa every December for all children of the county.

BCCWB provides emergency funds for children that are removed from their homes and need clothing, beds, etc. BCCWB participates in the Backpacks for Kids that was started in Kendall County that provide a duffel bag to kids being removed – some of the bag items being provided by the Bandera County 4-H Club. BCCWB has made it possible for children to participate in cheerleading, baseball, taekwondo, music programs, and Boy’s and Girls Club summer program, to name a few.

Those interested in becoming a member should contact childwelfareboard@banderacounty.org. Every new member must complete a background check and take the open records classes online.

Board members meet every fourth Thursday of the month at the Community Room in the Arthur Nagel Clinic in Bandera.