ASHTABULA – “It takes a community to raise a child,” is a popular saying, and the Ashtabula County Children Services recognized members of the community who have made a difference in the lives of children during its annual luncheon on Wednesday, April 8.
The “It Takes a Community” luncheon took place at the Andrus Banquet Center in Ashtabula.
During the event, Children Services staff recognized people who have risen above adversity or who have gone above and beyond in their service to others.
Many people in attendance wore blue as part of the Wear Blue Campaign, which makes people aware of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
“This year our story was about collaboration,” Children Services Executive Director Tania Burnett said. “We’ve been working with ways to improve our practice. That’s what it’s all about.”
Collaboration is what allowed Children Services to have its START team certified this year.
Ohio START (Sobriety, Treatment and Reducing Trauma) is an evidence-based intervention that helps families struggling with both substance-use disorder and children-services involvement by creating teams of caseworkers, family peer mentors and behavioral health providers to support them.
Ashtabula County is the 9th county to receive certification.
“It’s because of all of the collaboration we have with all of our partner agencies. That program really works because of the collaboration,” Burnett said.
She also spoke of Pinwheels for Prevention, with the planting set to take place this past Tuesday.
In the past, the pinwheels represented the carefree, happy childhoods that all children deserve to experience.
“This year, they’re changing it up a bit,” Burnett said.
They still represent children having happy childhoods, but also in the spirit of that collaboration, the petals of the pinwheels also represent the roles people play in child abuse prevention.
“It’s the support that we wrap around that family. That’s all of us, working together,” Burnett said.
With the luncheon focused on honoring groups and individuals who have made a difference in people’s lives or who have risen above the adversity in their own lives, the first award given out was the Rising Up and Moving On award.
Helping to present the awards was Community Support Coordinator Matthew Wunsch.
The Rising Up and Moving On award recognizes young people, adult survivors and birth parents and families who have worked with Children Services, Wunsch said.
This award is an opportunity to raise public awareness of the efforts of these individuals and the staff involved with them in overcoming difficult challenges and formidable odds in rising up and moving on with their lives.
Recipients of the Rising Up and Moving Award are:
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.
