Senate 40

SENATE RESOLUTION 40

(By Senators Queen, Rucker, Oliverio, and Jeffries)

[Introduced February 13, 2026]

Designating February 16, 2026, as Child Advocacy Center Day at the Legislature.

Whereas, The 21 Child Advocacy Centers in the Mountain State worked to assist over 4,700 alleged victims of child abuse and their families last year; and

Whereas, Child Advocacy Centers provide a neutral, child-friendly environment to help children feel psychologically and physically safe to disclose if they are being abused; and

Whereas, Child Advocacy Centers work with local teams of child abuse professionals to coordinate child abuse investigation and intervention, including prosecutors, Child Protective Services, law enforcement, medical and mental health providers, and victim advocates; and

Whereas, Child Advocacy Centers connect victims of child abuse with evidence-supported interventions that help them on their road to healing; and

Whereas, Child Advocacy Centers officially serve 48 counties in West Virginia and provide courtesy services to every county in the state; and

Whereas, Child Advocacy Centers work with local communities to educate individuals about preventing, identifying, and reporting child abuse; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates February 16, 2026, as Child Advocacy Center Day at the Legislature; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Senate invites members of the Legislature and the citizens of West Virginia to join in recognizing the value and importance of Child Advocacy Centers in West Virginia; and, be it

Further Resolved, The Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the representatives of the West Virginia Child Advocacy Network.