Youth Leadership Conference & Concert
Franklin County Children Services is holding its first two-day Youth Leadership Conference. This FREE conference for youths offers once in a lifetime opportunities to see a national recording artist in concert and to meet Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith.
The workshop for youths connected with Children Services, will be held on May 31 and highlights the importance of preventing teen pregnancy and community leadership training. This workshop includes special guest speaker R&B recording artist Kelly Price; former OSU quarterback and Heisman trophy winner Troy Smith; and leaders from the Central Ohio community.
Friday, May 30, 7 p.m. – Kelly Price Concert
This FREE concert features national recording artist & Grammy nominee Kelly Price at the Palace Theatre – 34 W. Broad St. in downtown Columbus. Also featured is the Morris Davis Jr. Band. This event is open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m.
For more information, call 614.341.6174.
About Franklin County Children Services
Franklin County Children Services' mission is clear: to provide protection, care and permanency for children who are abused, neglected or dependent. Children Services is the public agency mandated by federal and state law to protect children and strengthen families. The agency is committed to making sure that every child has a safe and stable home. In partnership with more than 100 child-serving agencies and organizations, and with the help of 700 employees, 400 foster parents, 200 adoptive families and 500 volunteers and mentors. Franklin County Children Services is making a difference in the lives of children and families in our community.
In 2006, Franklin County Children Services helped 28,137 children and their families through prevention, protection, placement and permanency programs. Children Services' mission must be to protect and care for children. The agency does this in cooperation with parents whenever possible, by providing services to alleviate the problems that led the family to the attention of Children Services. These services include: in home counseling and community social and mental health services; day treatment, therapeutic arts, emancipation and volunteer services; placement of children in temporary foster homes; and other supportive services that enable the family to maintain or resume their role of raising their children. When parents are still unable to care for their children, Children Services petitions the court for permanent custody and places children in adoptive homes.
Children Services is governed by an 11-member volunteer board that establishes policy for the agency. Executive Director Eric Fenner is responsible for agency operations. The agency has 745 employees who are guided by the vision that all children and youth have a right to a safe and secure environment. In fulfilling its mission, Children Services social workers and support staff work to build stable and supportive living settings for young people and to strengthen family life and assist parents in meeting their responsibilities to their children.
Children Services is regulated by statutory mandates of the state and federal governments and regulations of the Ohio Department of Human Services. The agency is a member of the Child Welfare League of America and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children. Franklin County Children Services is one of only a few public county children services boards in Ohio and the nation to be accredited. This accreditation means that Children Services meets rigorous national standards regarding quality of services and sound management practice. In 2004, the Council reaccredited the agency, which will be reviewed again in 2008 for reaccreditation.
