Community Involvement
Franklin County Children Services collaborates with many community partners to make a difference in the lives of all children. Children Services works with corporations, businesses, organizations and individuals in an effort to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to provide opportunities for children.
Child Abuse Prevention Month - 
April is a time to raise awareness about child abuse. If you suspect a child is being abused, call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 614-229-7000.
Pinwheels for Prevention - Franklin County Children Services and Prevent Child Abuse Ohio teamed up to enhance community awareness about child abuse and neglect through the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign. Throughout the month more than 8,000 pinwheels are displayed around the county - one for each reported case of child abuse in a year's time.
Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast - This annual event highlights child abuse prevention and the accomplishments of social work professionals, client families, youth and community advocates. College scholarships are awarded to agency youth. View 2009 Prevention Breakfast winners.
Rally on the Ohio Statehouse Lawn - Hundreds of people from across the state gathered for a rally at the Ohio Statehouse to call on Governor Strickland and legislative leaders to raise revenues to ensure that the state supports families and individuals struggling during the recession. FCCS Executive Director Eric Fenner spoke on behalf of abused and neglected children. The coalition encourages Ohioans to contact their legislators regarding these issues in their areas.
Be a Star! Teen Showcase - FCCS sponsored this showcase as a fun, unique way to bring families together to celebrate community youth and to hear about the rewards of becoming adoptive or foster parents. The showcase was a three-part event that was free and open to the public. Two auditions were held at two neighborhood locations where teens, ages 12-18, tried out to become a Showcase finalist. All varieties of talent were welcome including dance, music, acting, poetry readings and comedy. View the winners and more information.
Go Wild For Opera - Volunteers and their matched child were treated to a day at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to meet an animal trainer, watch the "Animals on Safari" performance, eat pizza sponsored by Donatos, and enjoy the music of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber. View Go Wild for Opera photos.
FamJam: A Family Enrichment Festival - This August celebration is held at Franklin Park to heighten awareness about the needs of children under Children Services' care. Many enjoy the live entertainment, food and festivities. The event provided an opportunity for the agency to increase awareness about the need for adoptive and foster families as well as mentors for the children under the agency's care. View FamJam 2009 photos.
College-Bound Youths - The Franklin County Commissioners hold an annual initiative to honor the accomplishments of college-bound students who have been in the care of FCCS. At a late summer event at Easton Town Center the youth receive praise, encouragement and off-to-college items. Community partners contributed gift cards, money for college books, and other items to help the college-bound students get off to a good start. These partners include: Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Limited Brands, Kroger, the Easton Foundation, and Bob Evans. View College Youth photos.
Safe Havens Awareness Event and Press Conference - FCCS held a Safe Havens awareness event and press conference at Columbus Fire Station 10 in August 2009 to highlight how Safe Havens saves the lives of babies. The Safe Havens for Infants law allows infants up to 30 days old to be left with an officer at a law-enforcement agency, a medical worker at a fire or EMS station, or a medical worker at a hospital. If this is done, the birth parent can surrender the unharmed baby anonymously and avoid prosecution. Using the Safe Havens for Infants program helps to ensure that the child will be healthy and safe. View Safe Havens Event photos.
Children's Day at COSI - This September event at COSI offers a day of fun to children and families. Each year the generous support of corporate donations allows abused and neglected children to enjoy a free day at COSI. Children and families under the care of FCCS get in free, thanks to donations from Kroger and Huntington National Bank, along with a partnership between Franklin County Board of Commissioners and COSI to actively offer programming that supports family learning. Special entertainment and prizes are featured. View Children's Day at COSI photos.
Choose Your Partner Carefully Event - This event and press conference raised awareness of the Choose Your Partner Carefully effort and was held at the Franklin County Children Services Offices, 855 W. Mound Street in Columbus. With an alarming rate of child abuse deaths, Franklin County Children Services, in partnership with the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, has launched a campaign urging single parents -- especially mothers -- to carefully consider who they allow to care for and be with their children. Click here for more information, printable Choose Your Partner Carefully literature, and photos.
Adoption Month - November is National Adoption Month and highlights the need for more families to welcome adoptable children into their homes. On Wed., November 18, 2009, National Adoption Day was celebrated across the country through the volunteer efforts of lawyers, foster care and adoption professionals, child advocates and local judges to finalize the adoptions of several children.
Art from Waiting Hearts will display the work of 25 adoptable youth in Franklin County at the King Arts Complex through January 29, 2010. View photos here of the kick-off for the art display.
National Family Week - National Family Week is a celebration in November that embraces the premise that children’s lives are better when their families are strong. It is a wonderful time to build connections that support and strengthen families with activities held by local community organizations during this week. In addition to honoring families, community leaders also receive special recognition for their advocacy and support of families at a celebration reception. On November 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Salvation Army, 966 East Main St. in Columbus, FCCS honored five deserving families who have worked to keep their families together, as well as five communtiy leaders who have contributed to their success.
Holiday Wish - Donations are needed to help provide holiday gifts to thousands of children in need. These children are under the care of Franklin County Children Services and may have suffered through a variety of abuses. Thanks to the help of the community individuals, businesses and organizations these children will experience the true spirit of giving and receiving. View Holiday Wish photos. Call 614-275-2525.
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