MOUNT VERNON – April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, and Knox County Job & Family Services encourages all residents of Knox County to join the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund’s #EverydayOhioHeroes campaign to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect prevention and promote a call to action to encourage all adults to “Be a Hero in the Eyes of a Child – one simple act of encouragement at a time.”
Each year, on the second Wednesday of April, the community is asked to wear blue in recognition of the month.
This year, the Knox County Job & Family Services staff took a group photo in the historic Memorial Theater, with staff were seated in the shape of a ribbon. Dareth Wilson, Knox County child support administrator, conceived the idea and made all the arrangements to make it happen. She put out a request on social media for a local photographer who would assist in taking the picture.
Heather Davis of Heather Davis Photography reached out to Wilson to ask if she could take the photo for Wear Blue Day. Davis said the work Knox County JFS does is near and dear to her as she is a former foster child.
“Growing up with an alcoholic mother, navigating 8 years in the NYS foster care system was the most challenging time of my life,” said Davis. “It was because of the work of the social workers, drivers and child advocates involved in my case that I was able to not only survive, but thrive and go on to leave the system safe and cared for. I am so thankful.”
In Ohio, parents, family members, educators, service providers, public officials and members of the faith-based community share the responsibility to create positive childhoods, JFS said. All play a critical role in ensuring that children are safe, supported and afforded the opportunity for a promising future without fear of abuse and neglect.
For more information about child abuse prevention or to report suspected child abuse or neglect 24/7 in Knox County, call 740-392-5437.
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