Pinwheels for Prevention raises awareness

The 20th annual Pinwheels for Prevention event is being held to make the community aware of children who are being abused and neglected. On Friday, March 28, many volunteers placed blue and silver pinwheels on the New Philadelphia Courthouse steps. Each pinwheel represents a child involved in an investigation.

April is designated as National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month and is held to create public awareness of children who have been abused and neglected in the area.

Nichole John, intake supervisor at Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services, said in 2024 the total calls regarding abuse, neglect or dependency were 1,428. The total investigations were 353 with 770 children involved in investigations. The total number of adults involved in visitations were 682, and children placed into foster care were 84, which reflects the total number of new foster placements, not the total number of children in foster care.

The county currently has 33 licensed foster homes and several licensed kinship providers.

“Alcohol and drugs, family violence, and sexual abuse made up 68% of the investigations in 2024, which is consistent with what has been seen in the past 31% of investigations due to family violence,” John said.

John also is the handler of Alexa, a 10-year-old facility dog used to sooth children in certain situations.

“At Noah’s Hope Child Advocacy Center of Tuscarawas County, we served 203 children in 2024. Of those numbers 168 were Tuscarawas County residents and 35 were interviewed from other counties. There were 139 female and 64 male children. That number also reflects 163 sexual abuse, 22 physical abuse, eight witness to violence, eight to neglect and two to drug endangerment,” said Mandy Willet, executive director of Noah’s Hope.

John said TCJFS works with families and children from birth to age 18 and up to age 21 if the child is receiving services through the board of development disabilities. The TCJFS investigates allegations of child abuse and neglect to determine the safety of children in the home. The goal is to maintain children in a safe abuse-free home and provide parents and caregivers with resources to strengthen their ability to protect their children.

They also offer a nine-week parenting class to parents or caregivers. The class is offered Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon at TCJFS, 389 16th St. SW, New Philadelphia. The classes run May 25 to July 22. Classes are free. Those interested can call Loretta at 330-308-7746. There are many additional programs available to provide services to families.

The TCJFS is offering five free seminars: DCY Parent and Youth Ambassadors, Family Success Network, Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, Reach Out and Read, and Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework. Register on the Tuscarawas County Job & Family Services website or call 330-339-7791.

Tuscarawas County residents are being asked to participate in Ohio Wears Blue 25 on April 9 to support Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.