Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month Campaign Asks Ohioans to Pause for a Child

COLUMBUS, Ohio –April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in Ohio, and the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund is encouraging all individuals and organizations to “Pause for a Child” and take an active role in making their communities a better place for families and children. It also urges all Ohioans to wear blue on Wednesday, April 9, to show their support for child abuse and neglect prevention.

“April is a time to recognize the important role that communities play in protecting children,” said Kristen Rost, executive director of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund. “April also represents a call to action. This month, I encourage all Ohioans to find a way to make a difference in the lives of the children and families around them and help stop child abuse and neglect throughout Ohio.”

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund and Franklin County Children Services will kick off the observance at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 10, at the Columbus Metropolitan Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave. The event will feature remarks by nationally known early childhood education speaker Jo Kirk from “WeJoySing” and the distribution of pinwheels, the national symbol of child abuse prevention.

“Child protection and child abuse prevention need active involvement from all aspects of the community,” said Chip Spinning, executive director of Franklin County Children Services. “That is why awareness efforts like this are so important. It provides an opportunity for everyone—whether a law enforcement officer, judge, foster or adoptive parent, volunteer, community service provider, public official, social worker, teacher, parent, or concerned citizen—to help keep children safe.”

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund asks you to help make a difference in the lives of Ohio’s most precious resource: our children. Whether by volunteering your time for programs that support children, supporting child advocacy groups, or advocating for other efforts designed to protect children in Ohio and across the country, everyone can take a lead in making a difference.

For more information about child abuse prevention programs and activities in your community, visit www.jfs.ohio.gov/octf. To report suspected child abuse or neglect in Ohio, call 1-855-O-H-CHILD (855-642-4453). The number is toll-free, and reports can be made anonymously.

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund is the state’s sole public funding source dedicated to preventing abuse and neglect. Housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund works with its 88 county partners to serve all Ohio communities.