Community Involvement

Franklin County Children Services collaborates with many community partners to make a difference in the lives of all children. These partnerships help prevent child abuse and neglect, and provide opportunities for children under agency care. Children Services works with corporations, businesses, organizations and individuals in an effort to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to provide opportunities for children. Community activities include providing joy during the holidays; publicizing adoption, foster and volunteer needs on the Statehouse lawn; exposing children to culture, arts and science; and recognizing youth for accomplishments.

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 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 7,000 pinwheels will be display 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, youths and community advocates. College scholarships are awarded to agency youths. Click here to see award winners and honorees at the 2008 Child Abuse Prevention Breakfast.

All Kids Count Campaign - This annual noontime celebration on the Statehouse lawn is held to heighten awareness about the needs of children under Children Services' care. Hundreds 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.

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 Franklin County Children Services. 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: The LimitedBrands, The Easton Community Foundation and The Ohio State University.

Children's Day at COSI - This event at COSI offers a free day of fun to children and families. Each year the generous support of corporate donations covers the cost of admission for abused and neglected children to get in free to COSI. Thanks to sponsors Kroger, White Castle, Nationwide and 92.3 WCOL many children in need can enjoy and experience COSI. Special entertainment and prizes are featured. See photos of Children's Day at COSI.

Adoption Month - November will highlight the need for more sisters and brothers to be adopted through a play, an adoption calendar, and a special adoption day. The free play about adoption addresses the painful realities and focuses on the things that the community can do to bring hope to those children and families. Each year the All Kids Count Adoption and Foster Care calendar is debuted at the play and available throughout the year. National Adoption Day is celebrated across the country through the volunteer efforts of lawyers, foster care and adoption professionals, child advocates and local judges on one special day to finalize the adoptions of children. Locally, Children Services partners with Capital University Law School's National Center for Adoption Law and Policy; Nationwide Insurance; Wendy's; the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption; Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease LLP and Franklin County Probate Court. Call 614.341.6060.

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. Call 614.275.2525

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