Guiding Light Teen Maternity Housing is the latest organization to join the Choose Your Partner Carefully Campaign raising the total number of local supporting organizations to 72! Guiding Light is dedicated to providing a safe environment that strives to educate teen mothers to effectively care for themselves and their child.....Sometimes, mothers in love can't see the warning signs. They think that because their partner loves them, he will love their child. It is a mistake that can be fatal...Full Story
Hundreds of thousands of Ohioans are eligible for government benefits but have never applied. ACCS and the Ohio Benefit Bank are teaming up to get them faster access to assistance. Every year, nearly $2 billion in benefits and tax credits go unclaimed in the State of Ohio. The Benefit Bank helps residents find out if they are eligible for certain benefits and directs them to those potential supports...Full Story
Love Luggage Eases Transition into Foster Care…
“When children are removed from their homes and placed into foster care their belongings are often placed into garbage bags. This reinforces the message that they are trash! Unknowingly, the abuse continues. Love Luggage allows every child entering foster care to have their own luggage. This communicates a different message to a child … you are special, you are valued and you are important. The abuse stops.” Full Story
Protecting our community's most vulnerable children is more than just a 9-5 job. That's why Allen County Children Services is available by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have staff on call around the clock to receive reports of abuse or neglect and to handle urgent needs as they arise. To report a suspected case of abuse or neglect call 419-227-8590, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. After 5, on weekends and on holidays, reports should be made to law enforcement agencies who will contact on call children services staff. It truly takes a community to protect a child.
Scott H. Ferris, MPA, LSW
ACCS Offers Foster Parent Training...
Allen County Children Services will offer a Pre-service/Orientation for foster care/adoption applicants beginning Saturday, April 3, 2010. The training is necessary for anyone interested in becoming a foster/adoptive parent...(Full Story).
CSB Elects Officers for 2010-2011....Jennifer Hughes, MSW, LISW was recently elected chairwoman of the CSB. Professor Hughes is chair of the Social Work Department at Bluffton University. Richard Meredith will serve as vice chairman and Linda Buckley-Skaja will serve as secretary.
