All must help prevent child abuse

Editor’s note: Another Viewpoint is a column The Morning Journal makes available so all sides of an issue may be aired. Scott Ferris is executive director of Lorain County Children Services.

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, nationally designated since 1983.

Annually, communities across our country focus their attention on the problem of child abuse and neglect, encouraging all citizens to continue our collective commitment to children’s safety, permanence and well-being by supporting services that strengthen children and families, becoming involved in your community as a mentor, youth leader, tutor or other volunteer, and learning more about the role of children services, including how to report suspected maltreatment of children.

Last year, Lorain County Children Services received 4,535 referrals from residents who were concerned about a child’s situation.

After careful screening, and understanding that some calls are duplicate calls, Children Services social workers assessed/investigated 2,012 situations, many involving a sibling group.

Child abuse and neglect may only affect 4 percent of our county’s families, however, that 4 percent of our population depends on the other 96 percent to make our community one that reduces risk to children, increases access to services and collaborates fully to reduce conditions that may lead to abuse or neglect.

On April 29 from noon to 5 p.m., the Rally for Kids will be held at the Midway Mall in Elyria. Rally for Kids is an exciting annual event sponsored in part by LCCS.

Dozens of local nonprofits and youth groups will be hosting activity tables.

Children will love the activities and crafts offered at each table, giving parents time to learn more about each organization and ask questions.

Everyone in Lorain County can contribute to children’s safety, permanency and well-being. Here are a few easy steps you can take to help prevent child abuse and neglect:

• Talk seriously about child abuse and don’t make a joke about it. Immediately report suspected maltreatment to your county’s child protective services agency.

If you are not sure if you should call, please err on the side of caution and call anyway. Our highly trained staff will gather as much information as possible and make an informed decision regarding the intervention into a family’s life.

In Lorain County, you can call 440-329-5340 to report suspected child abuse and neglect. Elsewhere, you can call Ohio’s toll free hotline at 800-4224453, which will link you with the appropriate agency to make your report.

• Practice positive parenting styles. Reinforce nonviolent problem-solving, compassion and self-control. Avoid corporal punishment. Ask yourself what’s the message a child receives when physically struck for doing something wrong?

• Question the glorification of violence in sports, in the media and in entertainment.

• If you have trouble providing basic food, clothing or shelter, please seek assistance from community agencies.

• Break the cycle of violence in your own life. If child abuse has been a part of your history, seek professional counseling. Remember, we generally parent the way we were parented.

• Be active in your community. Please consider volunteering and/or contributing to community organizations that protect children and promote family well-being. In Lorain County, there is a vibrant community safety net with many partners that would welcome your time and energy.

• Serve as an example in your neighborhood. Instill compassion and humane values in children and teens by showing you value people, animals and the environment.

• Use your voice! Speak out or vote on issues that improve the quality of life for children and families. Advocate for the restoration of funding levels for your community safety net services. Those services include: behavioral health services, home visitation, parenting programs, drug and alcohol assessment and counseling, support groups, etc.

• Simply, care. Make sure you know where your child is at all times. Ensure that he or she attends school regularly and receives proper medical attention.

Remember: Vigilance against child abuse and neglect should not end on April 30.

Lorain County is committed to improving the lives of our young people. We know that with the right expertise, experience and energy, we can fulfill our promise to our children that they will be safe, with loving families, in stable communities.

Child abuse is preventable!

Scott Ferris