Friday, October 2, 2026
The Olympia City Council approved a proclamation designating April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.
In doing so, the city council urged the community to increase support for families and protect children from abuse, neglect and trauma.
“It is the responsibility of our community to ensure parents, caregivers, and adults who influence the health and well-being of children have the support, knowledge, and concrete resources necessary to ensure all children thrive to their greatest potential,” states the proclamation, which was signed by Mayor Dontae Payne at a meeting on Tuesday, April 14.
The city said partnership among agencies — schools, religious organizations, law enforcement, health care providers and business community — is an effective strategy for preventing child abuse.
Jill Severn, who is on the Family Education & Support Services (FESS) Board of Directors, underscored the long-term impacts of childhood trauma and its connection to many social challenges, including homelessness.
Severn reflected on her time volunteering at Quixote Village where she regularly spoke with residents.
“Those conversations gave me new insights. One of which was that when you prevent child abuse and neglect and trauma, you prevent so much more," she said.
Severn noted many of the residents in the camp experienced abuse, neglect or trauma during childhood, which she said set them on a path toward homelessness.
She identified the lack of affordable housing as the primary cause of homelessness, but said other factors, including childhood abuse, neglect and trauma, also contribute to long-term life challenges.
“It is important that we recognize those connections … that when children are abused — and that abuse is not remediated or acknowledged — the results will not be good for their futures and the people with whom they interact,” Severn said.
She called for stronger prevention efforts, saying that focusing on reducing child abuse and neglect can have broader benefits for the community.
During the meeting, FESS Executive Director Shelley Willis distributed blue pinwheels in the council chambers, explaining they are a national symbol for child abuse prevention.
The symbol is used to raise awareness of risk and protective factors affecting children’s well-being and to encourage community action to support healthy development.
“Every time we see a pinwheel, we think about all we can do in our community to promote health and well-being for children so our future community is healthy,” Willis said.
She encouraged community members to display pinwheels around the city, as a reminder to take action in support of children and families.
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SamLucy
> IF THE CITY COUNCIL WASN'T PROCLAIMING EVERY ELEMENT OF LIFE---- THEY ACTUALLY MIGHT SIT DOWN AND ACCOMPLISH WHAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO...!!!
Saturday, April 18 Report this
Olywelcomesall
Thank you Family Education & Support Services for helping improve the lives of many families in the Olympia area. It’s a great investment for a better community. FESS has helped many recenter their lives around hope and community. I appreciate the many volunteers who extend the reach of support of the program. Glad the City is a big supporter of FESS.
Sunday, April 19 Report this
Boatyarddog
SamLucy, you cannot be helpful if YOU don't understand the Problem. In Fact Ignorance is HARMFUL. JUST BUTT OUT, And stop your Ignorant Judgements. We got this, Compassionate people will handle it.
Monday, April 20 Report this