BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio – Belmont County leaders, social services professionals, law enforcement, and the media came together Tuesday afternoon to recognize April as Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness month. Belmont County Job and Family Services hosted its annual luncheon at Undo’s West in St. Clairsville to recognize the community for its efforts to keep local children safe.
Belmont County DJFS Director Jeff Felton said his staff is committed to “ensuring that every child in Belmont County grows up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.” He explained that child abuse happens for many reasons, and that “the root causes of abuse are stress, isolation, substance abuse, economic instability, and economic hardship.” He thanked the community for working together to protect Belmont County children.
The keynote speaker was Joel Potts, the Chief of Government Relations at the Ohio Department of Children & Youth. Potts is a native of Shadyside in Belmont County and has spent the majority of his career in Columbus working on behalf of children.
“I’m here at this annual recognition event taking place here in Belmont County to look at child abuse and neglect prevention, strategies that are in place, looking at the needs of our children in our communities and how we can do better to really address those unmet needs and hopefully prevent individuals from ever ending up in child protective services,” Potts explained.
Potts said that in Ohio, there is an average of 200 calls of alleged abuse and neglect of children received by law enforcement and social service agencies each day. Around 14,000 Ohio children are in some type of protective services, while kinship placements of children with grandparents, siblings and others are in the tens of thousands.
Potts told the crowd that it takes commitment from the community to help abused children.
“It takes a tremendous effort. It takes a ton of compassion and sacrifice to help these kids that are most in need,” Potts explained.
Many families appreciate the help they receive. Christine Parker, BCDJFS Administrator, read some positive, anonymous comments from families the children’s services staff interacted with including these:
“She always tells me how proud she is of the person I have become and how well I’m doing.“
“I know the situation with my children is my fault, but my caseworker doesn’t condescend or make me feel less than you. She makes me feel at ease.”
“She was very caring with my kids.”
National Child Abuse Prevention Month began in 1984 when President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation to designate April for awareness of the issue. Also, people are encouraged to wear blue on Wednesday, April 8 to support child abuse prevention.
