(Posted April 20, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
In recognition of April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, Madison County Children Services is hosting its 4th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Carnival.
Set for 5-8 p.m. April 28 at the London Community Center, 60 S. Walnut St., the event features an obstacle course, balloon animals, family portrait photographer, games, door prizes, face painting, popcorn, sno-cones, hot dogs, chips, and drinks.
The event is completely free and open to the public. Hundreds attend each year.
“The goal is to have families enjoy an evening that doesn’t cost them anything. There are prizes for the kids and door prizes for the adults,” said Robin Bruno, children services administrator. “Really, the carnival is for the whole community, to give everybody a chance for positive interaction.”
The carnival also will include representation from various social service, health, education, and law enforcement agencies.
“The hope is that if we link people with resources, it will reduce the number of children being abused and neglected,” Bruno said. “If someone is struggling with something, there are resources and services they can receive that will keep them from getting to that point.”
In 2016, the staff at Madison County Children Services investigated 341 reports of child abuse and neglect. Many of the cases the department handles involve drug abuse and domestic violence, Bruno said.
Every year, the Madison County commissioners designate April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and the department plants pinwheels, each representing a call received from a concerned citizen on behalf of a child, on the county courthouse lawn.
To learn more about child abuse prevention, foster care, and adoption services, call Madison County Children Services go to http://co.madison.oh.us/djfs/ and click on “Children Services” or call (740) 852-4770. The department is part of Madison County Job and Family Services.
