Highlighting their commitment to ensure every child grows up in a safe environment free from abuse and neglect, the Berks County commissioners proclaimed April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month.
The proclamation was presented Thursday to Barbara Jakubek, the administrator of children and youth services, following her report to officials on the latest efforts of her department to protect children who are victims of suspected abuse and neglect.
Jakubek told the commissioners there were 1,186 reports of suspected child abuse in 2024. Of those reports received by her department, 122 cases were confirmed incidents of abuse.
But, she said, there were significantly more reports of child neglect.
There were 5,935 reports of suspected child neglect in 2024, with 956 of those cases meeting the criteria under state law to be incidents of neglect.
“The primary reasons for those reports involved the drug and alcohol abuse of parents, caregiver neglect of children with developmental disabilities and inadequate housing,” she said. “And we have continued to see that trend in 2025 and 2026.”
Jakubek said her team consists of 23 caseworkers who investigate suspected cases of abuse and neglect, 23 caseworkers who work with families in their homes where support is needed and 25 caseworkers who work with families in situations where the court has removed children from the home.
But, she stressed, everyone can play a role in helping to prevent abuse.
“Be a support to families who you know may be struggling,” she said. “Building a support network around them is an important process. We also want to encourage the community to report allegations of child abuse.”
Those reports can be made to ChildLine by calling 1-800-932-0313 or by calling the county department directly at 610-478-6700.
The commissioners lauded Jakubek and her team for the work that they do.
Commissioner Christian Leinbach said children and youth services is one of the toughest departments for which to work but also the most important because they help families under the worst circumstances.
“We really appreciate you and the entire team at children and youth services, but additionally, we want to make a proclamation,” Leinbach said. “This proclamation brings attention to the public so that they are aware, and we are also bringing it to the attention of moms and dads and relatives. We want to protect our children; they are our next generation.”
Commissioner Michael Rivera acknowledged how stressful it must be to go into a home where you know you are probably not wanted.
“But I do want to reemphasize something,” Rivera added. “If you see something, if you think it’s abuse or if you think it’s neglect and you’re not sure, reach out and let them determine whether it is or not. Because you never know if that could help save a child’s life or not, or help keep a family together.”
Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. said that while April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, it is important to recognize that child abuse is an ongoing issue that happens every single day in our community.
“We should always remember the importance of taking care of children,” he said.