The Pa. Family Support Alliance and Pa. Department of Human services hosted its outdoor flag painting and annual Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids awards ceremony.
HARRISBURG, Pa. — State leaders and advocates recognized the start of Child Abuse Prevention Month with outdoor flag painting and an awards ceremony in Harrisburg.
The events were hosted by the Pa. Family Support Alliance (PFSA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services.
The flag-painting took place along State Street Wednesday morning. Each blue-ribbon flag painted symbolized the number of substantiated child abuse cases that occurred in the state in 2024.
The Department of Human Services’ Child Protective Services 2024 Annual Report claimed that there were 4,756 substantiated cases of child abuse, including 60 substantiated fatalities and 82 substantiated near fatalities.
Following the flag-painting event, officials recognized four Pennsylvanians as Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids during a ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda. The honorees were selected by a panel of independent judges and submitted statewide.
The following are this year’s Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids:
- Jane Kim, Director of Client Engagement and Initiatives, Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center (Montgomery County resident)
- Detective Ernie Morris, Limerick Township Police Department (Montgomery County resident)
- Shana Orlic, ParentWISE Program Supervisor, Wesley Family Services (Westmoreland County resident)
- Kristen C. Streightiff, M.Ed., Director of Student Services, Mount Union Area School District (Huntingdon County resident)
The four honorees were commended for their commitment to protecting children across the state.
“April is a critical moment to shine a light on child abuse and neglect — issues that continue to impact far too many children and families,” said Angela Liddle, president and CEO of PFSA. “These are not easy subjects to confront, but lasting change depends on our willingness to face them together. Our PA Blue Ribbon Champions for Safe Kids embody the profound influence one committed person can have in protecting a child’s future. We are thankful for the steadfast partnership and leadership of the Shapiro administration in advancing prevention and supporting Pennsylvania’s children.”
The State Capitol and bridges will also be lit blue through Thursday night in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month.