Executive Director Messages
Deanne Tilton Durfee, Doc.hc

The year 2025 arrived with a fury. Wildfires raged with relentless disregard for the lives they would change forever.

As the school year is winding down and graduations are upon us, take a moment to reminisce about your earlier years when the whole world was ahead of you, filled with challenges, hopes and dreams.

April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, brought an important focus on our county’s commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect. Key issues we have identified as critical to increasing accountability for children’s safety were recognized, as well as tangible steps for our public and private efforts to prevent harm to children.

So much has happened since my last message. Today begins the first week following the Presidential Inauguration.

It is with deep sorrow that I begin this message with news of the passing of Kerry English, MD.

We at ICAN were "thinking" about protecting children from abuse, preventing family violence.

This has been a year of challenges and change. Climate change, social media, viruses, earthquakes, and politics. Sometimes very stressful!

As we experience historic atmospheric rivers, we’re reminded of how differently the weather affects each of us.

Spring is near, and we await a breath of new normalcy! Our ICAN team is energized to continue our efforts to prevent child abuse with you, our invaluable extended family of inter-agency partners and community advocates.

This holiday season is different. We're experiencing limits on extended family gatherings, office parties, potlucks, travel, movie theatres, restaurants.

The enemy COVID-19 continues to affect the quality of life for us all, some with inconvenience, some with stress and anxiety, and some with tragedy.

I write this letter hoping that all of you are well and finding ways to stay productive in this unusual and trying time.

Since my last Executive Director message, the world has changed in so many ways. These changes have been within our home base and include the emergence of profound state and global challenges.

Fall is here. The trees are changing colors, temperatures are dropping, Halloween has put a smile on children’s faces, and we anticipate the coming Holidays.

Last year we cancelled our in-person meetings and conferences due to pandemic restrictions.

These days, we often hear the phrase “in these challenging times.”

As we enter another month of shelter-at-home, I hope you are adjusting to this quarantine as safely and comfortably as possible.