Child Abuse Awareness Month – 2026
If there’s one “awareness month” I wish we no longer needed, it’s this one. Yet every April, we are reminded that child abuse and neglect remain a very real issue, not just across the country, but here at home in Milam County.
Children are our greatest resource. They are our future, our legacy, and the promise of what our community will become. At the same time, they are often our most vulnerable. It is our responsibility as parents, neighbors, leaders, and citizens to ensure they are protected, supported, and given every opportunity to grow in safe and stable environments.
One of the most meaningful duties I have as County Judge is standing on the courthouse lawn to read the annual Child Abuse Awareness Proclamation. It is a moment that brings into focus the children in our community who have experienced abuse, neglect, or endangerment. Children who too often go unseen in the pace of everyday life.
As I have said before, child abuse and neglect impact not only the individual child, but the long-term well-being of our entire community. Every child deserves a safe, nurturing home and a supportive environment where they can grow and thrive.
This responsibility does not rest with one office or one organization – it belongs to all of us. It takes a partnership between families, schools, churches, healthcare providers, law enforcement, civic groups, and local businesses to create a community where children are protected. It’s easy to say that, but harder to live it out. Still, it’s a responsibility we cannot afford to ignore.
In years past, we have placed blue pinwheels on the courthouse lawn. Each one represents one of the roughly 170 children in Milam County alone who have entered foster care or been victims of abuse or neglect. It is a powerful and sobering reminder that this issue is not distant; it is here, in our own community.
Milam County is fortunate to have dedicated organizations working on behalf of these children: the Milam County CPS Board, CASA of Milam County, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Central Texas, and Place of Hope. These groups provide advocacy, resources, and support to children and families when they need it most. They rely on community involvement through volunteering, donations, and awareness to continue their mission. Supporting them is one of the most direct ways we can make a difference.
On a personal note, as the parent of eight children and a growing number of grandchildren, I am reminded daily of the blessing that children are. They bring life, energy, and purpose into our homes. That blessing also carries with it a responsibility to protect, to guide, and to care for those very same youth who need it most.
The safety and security of Milam County and its citizens will always be a top priority of county government. That includes the protection of our children – Our most valuable and irreplaceable assets.
The challenge before us may seem large, but real change happens one step at a time. While no one person can solve this issue alone, each of us can play a role. And if we all do, then maybe one day we can reach a point where a Child Abuse Awareness Month is no longer necessary.
We will gather on April 17th at 9:00 a.m. on the courthouse steps for the annual proclamation reading and reflection. I encourage everyone to attend, to learn more, and to consider how you can help. If you would like more information about how to get involved, please reach out to these organizations through their social media pages or contact our office at 254-697-7000.
Together, we can – and must – do better for our children.
