SPRINGETTSBURY TWP., York County, Pa. (April 8, 2026) – York County leaders, law enforcement, and child advocates gathered today at the York County Emergency Services Center to raise awareness of the continuing fight against child abuse and neglect.

In recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month throughout April, Pa Family Support Alliance (PFSA) and the County of York hosted their second annual flag-planting ceremony to honor and memorialize the 260 victims of child abuse and neglect in the county in 2024, the most recent year of available data. 

During the ceremony, York County President Commissioner Julie Wheeler presented PFSA with a proclamation marking April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.

“York County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have a strong network of partners to protect children from abuse and neglect and to raise awareness across the community of the importance of ensuring all children are safe, secure, and cared for,” the proclamation reads. “Our communities are stronger when all citizens become aware of child abuse prevention and become involved in supporting parents to raise their children in a safe and nurturing environment.”

On the grounds of the Emergency Services Center, advocates planted 260 blue flags to symbolize the substantiated cases of child abuse in York County in 2024, according to the most recent Child Protective Services Report from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, and two black flags to symbolize those whose lives were lost to abuse and neglect.

“Every flag we plant is a reminder that there is still so much work to be done to protect the children in our communities,” said Angela Liddle, President and CEO of PFSA. “We are grateful to Commissioner Wheeler for welcoming us back to York County, and to the law enforcement leaders, child advocates, and local officials who continue to show up for the kids who need someone who cares the most.”

Photos, B-roll and video clips can be found here.

“We need to make sure we’re doing all we can to give families the tools they need to ensure children have a safe, nurturing environment where they can grow and thrive,” Wheeler said. “But we also need to take swift action when children are put at risk. It’s our collective responsibility to keep kids safe from neglect and abuse.”

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, contact ChildLine at 1 (800) 932-0313.

Also in attendance during the ceremony were community partners and leaders who work to support and protect children and families across York County, including York County District Attorney Tim Barker and police chiefs from departments across the county.

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About Pa Family Support Alliance

Pa Family Support Alliance, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, prevents child abuse and protects children from harm by helping parents learn positive parenting techniques, educating professionals and volunteers who work with children to recognize and report child abuse, and helping community members learn how they can play a positive role in keeping children safe. To learn more about our programs, schedule a training, or make a donation, please visit pafsa.org, or call 800-448-4906.