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Pictured left to right; Seated: Rebecca James, Children Services; Mike
Rhoades, Commissioner; Mike Stegall, Commissioner; Diane Delaplane,
Commissioner; Doug Fries, Greenville Schools Superintendent. Standing:
Frank Shapiro, Ansonia Chief of Police; Mark Whittaker, Chief Deputy
Darke County Sheriff's Office; Dean Butts, Greenville Chief of Police;
Terry Becker, Tri-County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services;
Vickie Martin, Recovery and Wellness Center of Midwest Ohio; Rebecca
Cotterman, Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Michelle O'Connor, Children
Services; Kaley Thomas, Children Services; Rhonda McKinniss,
Legal/Long Term Care DCJFS,Dr. Terry Holman, Darke County Health
Department;Tim Tyo, Children Services.
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Child Abuse and
Neglect Awareness Month
On March 25, 2015, April was declared Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness
Month by the Darke County Commissioners. Several public officials
representing Children Services, Juvenile Court, law enforcement,
community services, health, education, Prosecutor’s office, and CASA
participated in the signing of the proclamation.
During 2014, Children Services and Adult Protective (CSU/APS) services
had contact with 1,872 adults and children.
Complex cases created varied challenges for CSU/APS through intake
reports:
767 intakes regarding concern for children were received by Children
Services.
481 of those were based on concerns of physical abuse, sexual abuse,
and neglect.
126 of those reports related to drug and/or alcohol issues
79 of those reports related to unruly or delinquent child behavior
49 children were in agency custody during the year.
36 children received court-ordered in home protective services.
One adoption was finalized and 50 children benefitted from adoption
subsidies.
Darke County families have benefitted from agency partnerships for over
20 years. The Intersystem Diversion Team, IDT, (known by other names
through the years) worked with 161 children and 119 adults during 2014.
Perhaps the greatest challenges faced by family participants were
financial hardships, lack of resources, and limited service provision.
Participating agencies still include Darke County Board of
Developmental Disabilities, Darke County Family and Children First
Council, Darke County Health Department, Darke County Juvenile Court,
Darke County Recovery Services, Family Health. Greenville City schools,
County Schools, Gateway Youth Services, Mental Health Clinic, and
Children Services Unit.
Family and Children First Council continues to fund the department’s
Family Centered Services and Supports Program (FCSS).Families with
multiple challenges work with the facilitator to prevent child abuse
and neglect. Those challenges include drug and alcohol abuse, domestic
violence, mental illness, child behavior, and medical concerns.
Look for the pinwheel garden in the Commissioner’s yard on planted
April 2 by the Banner Bound 4-H club. The pinwheels are planted as part
of Child Abuse and Neglect Awareness Month.
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