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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, In 2015, the Texas Department of Family and |
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Protective Services received almost 275,000 allegations of child |
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abuse and neglect; and |
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WHEREAS, Over 66,000 Texas children were confirmed to be |
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victims of abuse and neglect, of whom more than 17,000 were removed |
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from their homes; tragically, 171 children died of abuse and |
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neglect in 2015; and |
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WHEREAS, The short-term and long-term costs of child abuse |
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and neglect are estimated at $210,012 per victim, paid through |
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medical treatment, foster care, law enforcement, mental health |
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care, special education, juvenile delinquency, and lost |
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productivity; in 2015, the cost to Texans for child maltreatment |
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was over $14 billion; child maltreatment also carries enormous |
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continuing societal costs as victims suffer from mental illness, |
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substance abuse, developmental delays, teen pregnancy, academic |
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underachievement, criminal behavior, unemployment, and poverty; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Child abuse is a state and community problem, and |
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successfully protecting children depends on investments in |
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evidence-based prevention from all sources; all citizens have an |
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important role to play by supporting and encouraging parents and |
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other caregivers so that children are raised in a safe, nurturing |
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environment; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize February 7, 2017, as Child Protection |
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and Home Visiting Day at the State Capitol; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Texas House of Representatives call upon |
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all citizens, officials, community agencies, religious |
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organizations, medical facilities, schools, and businesses to |
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support efforts to protect children from abuse and neglect. |