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Children Services Agency Asking Professionals To Wear Blue
By: Steffany Hiett
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Athens County Children Services is joining protection agencies across Ohio and inviting everyone across the county to wear blue to work on April 11th.
As part of "Wear Blue to Work Day" the agencies are asking professionals across the county to wear blue in support of preventing child abuse and neglect.
Sherri Oliver, Public Relations and Community Events Coordinator, says the number of child abuse cases in the county is not changing.
"In 2011, Athens County Children Services received 1,375 calls to report child abuse and neglect. The number hasn't changed much from prior years, but we are seeing an increase in severe cases of abuse. So, it's really important to treat months like April with importance to get the awareness out about the issue," said Oliver.
Oliver says child abuse affects everyone in the community.
"Child abuse affects our healthcare system. It makes healthcare costs rise. If families are unhealthy, you'll see a negative effect in our schools, so it can really have a negative effect all across our society," said Oliver.
The unified, community-wide act of wearing blue is make residents aware that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. More information is available on the Athens County Children Services website.