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Richland County proclaims April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month; children’s services outline outreach and events
Summary
At the March 27 meeting the Richland County Board of Commissioners received a proclamation from Richland County Children’s Services declaring April 2025 Child Abuse Prevention Month; agency leaders described last year’s caseload, concerns about children’s exposure to drugs, and planned public events and outreach.
The Richland County Board of Commissioners on March 27 received a proclamation from Richland County Children’s Services declaring April 2025 as Child Abuse Prevention Month and heard agency leaders describe outreach and events aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect.
Tara Lassenizer, executive director of Richland County Children’s Services, said the agency adopted this year’s theme to emphasize community partnerships: "doing things differently and believing in communities," with a focus on education, family support and building networks to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Lassenizer told commissioners that the agency investigated about 1,120 cases of child abuse, neglect and dependency last year and that neglect is typically the most common category because it includes medical and educational neglect and lack of basic needs. She said the agency observed an increase in physical-abuse allegations tied to substance use in homes and noted that children connected to agency cases are being drug-tested: the agency conducted roughly 560 tests last year and reported that some tests returned positive for drugs.
Bridget Coles, community engagement supervisor for Richland County Children’s Services, described planned public activities for April, including a rally at Malabar Intermediate School on April 1 from 9 to 10 a.m., a Buckeye Bakery partnership giving away a blue pinwheel cookie while supplies last, distribution of blue ribbons and a display of 1,120 pinwheels at the Mansfield YMCA. Coles said the agency also will participate in an Easter drive-through celebration (April date not specified) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and in the 26th annual minority health fair at Providence Baptist Church.
Children’s Services reiterated how parents and community members can report concerns: the agency said anyone can call (419) 774-4100; a caseworker and a supervisor are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Commissioners expressed support for the proclamation and for making prevention messaging visible in the community through ribbons and pinwheels.
The agency’s presentation covered both prevention activities and service connections it makes for families — including referrals for counseling, parenting classes and case management — when the agency becomes involved in a case.
The announcement and the proclamation aim to raise awareness and direct residents to reporting and support resources during April’s awareness activities.
