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Portage County proclaims April Child Abuse Prevention Month; JFS details programs, events and donations
Summary
The board proclaimed April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard a report from Jobs and Family Services outlining prevention events, a Benefit Bridge success story and three accepted donations including the Wilde scholarship.
PORTAGE COUNTY, Ohio — The Portage County Board of Commissioners declared April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard an overview from Jobs and Family Services of outreach events, program data and recently accepted private donations.
The board’s proclamation said Portage County will recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month with activities and outreach; it referenced 3,316 reports of child abuse and neglect recorded to the county hotline in 2024 and urged community participation in awareness activities. The proclamation encouraged residents to wear blue on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
Jobs and Family Services staff described planned awareness activities including planting blue pinwheels at multiple downtown and agency sites, a family fun day on Saturday, April 26 at Brown Middle School and partnerships with Akron Children’s Hospital and Children’s Advantage for safety and program presentations. Staff also highlighted a Benefit Bridge success story: a participant who moved from SNAP and Medicaid reliance to full-time employment and self-sufficiency after 12 months of services and employer supports.
The board accepted three donation resolutions on the consent calendar: donations to support the Child Protective Services “Presence for Kids” campaign, employee-fundraiser proceeds for a JFS committee, and an annual scholarship funded by Craig and Karen Wilde for youth in foster care and children served through the CCBP program. County staff said the Wilde scholarship is self-funded by the donors and that they help select recipients.
Separately, staff summarized results from an AARP Age-Friendly survey funded by the regional Area Agency on Aging. Highlights included: 63 percent of older-adult respondents reported risk tied to housing cost and maintenance; 11 percent lacked reliable transportation access for emergencies; 41 percent expressed dissatisfaction with outdoor seating and accessibility; about one-third reported limited home internet access; and two-thirds said they were unsure whether older-adult needs were represented in local decision-making bodies. Staff said the Portage 50+ committee will use the survey to develop a strategic plan and that the county will explore senior-focused resource guides and outreach, and suggested the idea of considering a future senior levy.
The commissioners moved and unanimously approved the three donation acceptances during the consent agenda.
