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Seneca County proclaims April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month; protective services report 1,400+ calls in 2025
Summary
Seneca County commissioners proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and heard a presentation from protective services administrator Jen Schumacher, who reported more than 1,400 calls in 2025 and described the county's "kin-first" approach to keeping children with trusted caregivers.
Seneca County commissioners on April 14 proclaimed April 2026 as Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and received a presentation from county protective services about last year's child-welfare activity.
Protective services administrator Jen Schumacher told the board her office received "over 1,400 calls last year in 2025," of which 388 were screened in for an investigation or assessment. Schumacher said the department opened 44 ongoing cases, completed just under 2,000 home visits, placed 67 children in foster care during the year and reunified 27 children with their parents. She added that 71 children avoided foster care because staff were able to place them with kinship caregivers, which the county follows as a "kin-first" policy.
The "kin-first" approach, Schumacher said, prioritizes placing children with caregivers who have an established relationship with the child even if they are not blood relatives, and can include relatives, coaches, teachers or neighbors to reduce trauma from removal.
Commissioners asked how calls are received and who reports concerns; Schumacher said anyone can call the department but that common sources include schools, mandated reporters, medical providers and neighbors. She also clarified that intakes can include repeat families and that in certain cases placement services extend to age 21 for youth with disabilities.
The board read a proclamation citing state data on substantiated child abuse and neglect and urged residents to report suspected abuse to the Seneca County Department of Jobs and Family Services. The proclamation and the presentation included announcements of local awareness events: the county's 13th annual protective services 5K at Hedges-Boyer Park, with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m., and a foster-parent dinner scheduled for April 30.
The commissioners thanked the presenters for their work and the proclamation was entered into the record.
