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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPROCLAMATION re National Diaper Awareness JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners FROM: Heather Dudley-Nollette, County Commissioner DATE: September 15,2025 RE: PROCLAMATION: Proclaiming the week of September 15,2025 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The people of Jefferson County recognize that diaper need is a public health issue, and addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for the county's families and communities and improved health for children,thus ensuring all children and families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential. FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact. RECOMMENDATION: Support this effort to raise awareness by proclaiming the week of September 15th through September 21 st, 2025 as NATIONAL DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK. REVIEWED BY: 6P-d.r.<!O Cl/3b- Jos D. Peters, County Administrator Date PROCLAMATION NATIONAL DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK WHEREAS, diaper need, the condition of not being able to afford a sufficient supply of clean diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy,can adversely affect the health and well- being of children and their families; and WHEREAS, national surveys and research studies report that nearly one in two families struggles with diaper need, and 48 percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend the available supply; and WHEREAS, a daily or weekly supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for babies and toddlers to participate in childcare programs and quality early-education programs that enable children to thrive and parents to work; and many parents struggling with diaper need report missing an average of five days of work each month due to an insufficient supply of diapers; and WHEREAS, without enough diapers, babies and toddlers risk infections and health problems that may require medical attention, resulting in medical costs, and parents may be prevented from accessing childcare needed to go to work or school, thereby destabilizing the family's economic prospects and well-being; and WHEREAS, the people of Jefferson County recognize that diaper need is a public health issue, and addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for the county's families and communities and improved health for children, thus ensuring all children and families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential; and WHEREAS, Jefferson County is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations, including First Step Family Support Center,the diaper depots at Jefferson Healthcare, YMCA of Jefferson County, the Tri Area, Quilcene and Brinnon Community Centers,that recognize the importance of diapers in ensuring health and providing economic stability for families and thus distribute diapers to families through various channels; and WHEREAS,through their important work of addressing diaper need, diaper banks play a critical role in supporting families, improving infant health and wellbeing, and advancing our local and state economic growth; and NOW, THEREFORE, the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners hereby proclaims the week of September 15th through September 21st, 2025, as NATIONAL DIAPER NEED AWARENESS WEEK BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED, in Jefferson County and thank the aforementioned diaper banks, their staff, volunteers and donors, for their courageous service. We encourage the citizens of Jefferson County to help us stuff the van on September 19, 2025 in the Jefferson County Public Health parking lot at 912 Sheridan(next to QFC)and to donate generously to diaper banks and diaper drives. We also encourage to support those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to families struggling with diaper need, so that all of Jefferson County's children and families can thrive and reach their full potential. PROCLAIMED this 15th day of September, 2025. JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS SEAL: Heidi Eisenhour, Chair ATTEST: Heather Dudley-Nollette, Member Carolyn Gallaway, CMC, Clerk of the Board Greg Brotherton, Member