FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Inyo County, CA – April 26, 2024: Community members joined Inyo County Health and Human Services Department, in partnership with the Inyo County Office of Education, Inyo County Superior Court, Wild Iris, and CASA of the Owens Valley, for the Children’s Memorial Day flag raising ceremony on April 26, 2024.
Children’s Memorial Day was established by the California Assembly in April 1997, which formally declared the fourth Friday in April as a statewide annual observance day. On the fourth Friday in April every year the Children’s Memorial Flag is to be flown statewide in memory of all the young lives lost in California due to violence in the previous year. Children’s Memorial Day concludes the month of April’s Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month Activities by honoring children who have lost their lives as a result of child abuse and neglect.
Each year, Child Welfare agencies across the nation received over 3 million reports of child abuse and neglect and provided intervention services to approximately 559,000 children nationwide, helping families stay together or come back together while taking steps to ensure their safety. However, despite the efforts to keep children safe, an estimated 1,990 children nationwide died from abuse and neglect in 2022.
On the morning of April 26, community partners gathered at the Clint G. Quilter Building in Bishop to hear statements in honor the young lives lost to violence, to raise the Childrens Memorial Flag, to observe a moment of silence, and to reflect as Ambrosia Stone sang the Paiute Shoshone Flag Song. The participation of Inyo County community members and services agencies in the raising of the Children’s Memorial Flag increases awareness of child abuse and neglect through a unified message and facilitates broader community involvement in child abuse and neglect prevention.
Inyo County Health and Human Services extends heartfelt thanks to Superior Court Judge, Suzanne Rizo, Inyo County Superintendent of Schools, Barry Simpson, Wild Iris Executive Director, Vanessa Hays, and Inyo County Second District Supervisor, Jeff Griffiths, for sharing messages that honor the children and families of Inyo County, and for recognizing the important work that local providers and community members do to protect our children.
There are multiple opportunities available for community members to help support children. Consider becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer or mentor; advocate on behalf of a foster child; become a Resource Family to provide a home for a foster child; teach parenting classes; volunteer at a school; or simply, extend a helping hand to a parent or child in need.
Finally, if you have reason to believe that a child you know is experiencing abuse or neglect, make a report to either law enforcement or to the local child welfare agency. Your voice can make a difference for one child.
