Commissioners honor Level Up Land senior esports program and mark Child Abuse Prevention Month

Franklin County commissioners opened Tuesday’s session by recognizing Level Up Land Ohio and its senior esports program, which the county Office on Aging and program partners said helps older residents build digital skills, social connections and confidence.

Dr. Melita Moore, founder of Level Up Land Ohio, and Sean Domingo of the Franklin County Office on Aging described the pilot’s progress and the program’s role in combatting isolation. “We try to do this program to combat this epidemic of isolation and loneliness for our seniors,” Dr. Moore said, and commissioners praised the pilot as a model for digital equity and intergenerational engagement.

The board also observed National Child Abuse Prevention Month, invited Tashea Safford of the Center for Healthy Families and Raquel Breckenridge of Franklin County Children Services to brief the board, and heard from youth advocates in the Black Girls and Young Women’s Collective. Speakers listed local events — a blue pinwheel display, a solidarity walk, and a child abuse prevention breakfast — and emphasized community responsibility for reporting and preventing abuse.

Outcome: The board publicly recognized the programs and encouraged public participation in the April events. County staff said certificates would be presented to program participants at a ceremony after the session.

What’s next: Level Up Land will continue programming with county partners and the Office on Aging; the Center for Healthy Families and Franklin County Children Services will proceed with April outreach and public events.