By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

The county board of commissioners, on March 26, gave its official support to April 2024 as Child Abuse Protection Month.

“Child abuse and neglect is a serious problem affecting every segment of our

society,” said county Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom to the five county commissioners.

Sjostrom added that finding solutions requires input and action from everyone throughout Otter Tail County and across the state and nation. Also speaking to county board members about child protection were county Human Services Supervisors Stephanie Olson and Krista Fix.

The five county commissioners agreed that effective child abuse prevention succeeds because of partnerships created between families, human services employees,  faith-based organizations and others.

“We acknowledge that we must work together as a county to increase awareness about child abuse and contribute to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families in a safe, stable and nurturing environment,” said County Board Chairman Kurt Mortenson.

To that end, Mortenson and his fellow board members pointed out the importance of promoting programs and activities that create strong and thriving children and families. They praised the work of county Human Services employees.

“We must work to dedicate ourselves to the task of improving the quality of life for all children and families here in Otter Tail County,” Mortenson added.