MANSFIELD — Richland County Children Services investigated more than 1,100 cases of child abuse, neglect and dependency last year.
Tara Lautzenhiser, RCCS executive director, said neglect is typically the most seen category — largely because it includes medical and educational neglect and lack of basic needs.
“Last year, we found that physical abuse was actually the highest category,” Lautzenhiser told the Richland County Board of Commissioners on Thursday.
“We believe that is because substance use in the home has increased the children’s ability to have access to those drugs, whether that’s residue in the homes or getting into the actual drugs themselves,” she said.
Children involved with cases including substance use concerns were drug tested by RCCS.
The agency drug tested about 500 children last year and 60 percent came back positive for some type of drug, Lautzenhiser said.
Commissioners read an annual proclamation Thursday declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.
A goal of RCCS this year is to educate parents on the use of THC, which is the main psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant, according to WebMD.
“Gummies are regularly available now and even though it’s THC gummies, children are still hospitalized (and) it still affects their health, so parents really need to be educated to keep those away,” the executive director said.
‘Doing Things Differently: Believing in Communities’
A new theme has been introduced for this year’s Child Abuse Prevention Month — “Doing Things Differently: Believing in Communities.”
“The focus is really about community partners coming together and supporting one another in education (and) building family supports and networks for families in the community in hopes to prevent child abuse and neglect in the future,” Lautzenhiser said.
When RCCS becomes involved with a family, the protection of children comes first. But incorporating additional services through community partners is another step the agency takes.
That can include family counseling, parenting classes or even budgeting and financial education, the executive director said.
Commissioner Tony Vero said child abuse takes many forms.
“I think it’s very important that you guys (RCCS) are getting that message out that unfortunately, there are many more forms of child abuse than just the physical act of hitting,” Vero said.
Anyone can contact the agency’s Child Abuse Report Hotline by phone at (419)-774-4100.
“We have a case worker on-call and a supervisor on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week,” Lautzenhiser said. “If it’s in the middle of the night and something happens (or) on a holiday, we are always available.”
Child Abuse Prevention Month events
Multiple events are planned around Richland County in April to promote Child Abuse Prevention Month.
A Child Abuse Prevention Month rally is set for Tuesday at 9 a.m. at Malabar Intermediate, 205 W. Cook Road. The celebration will include proclamations presented by government officials, special guest speakers and a presentation from Malabar students.
Blue Pinwheels will be on display all month on the front lawn of the YMCA of North Central Ohio – Mansfield branch,750 Scholl Road. The pinwheels represent every report of child abuse and neglect received in Richland County by the agency last year.
Blue ribbons, courtesy of the agency and Tara’s Floral, will also be on display this month in the Richland County Courthouse lawn. Community members can participate by displaying the international symbol for child abuse prevention on a tree, door, fence, vehicle or mailbox.
Mansfield’s downtown gazebo in Central Park will also be lit in blue lights this month.
“We definitely want to thank the commissioners so much for supporting us and everything that we’re doing,” said Brigitte Coles, RCCS community engagement supervisor.
On April 9, Wear Blue Day will occur statewide to spread awareness on the important issues of child abuse, neglect and dependency. Local businesses, offices, schools, agencies, factories, retail outlets and media partners are asked to wear blue to show unity against child abuse and neglect.
Buckeye Bakery will be giving the first 100 customers who enter the shop in blue a free cookie on April 9 in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Other events planned later in the month include an Easter Drive-Thru and a Minority Health Fair. Click here for more information regarding all planned events.
