Local leaders honored for protecting children

Wayne County Children Services and community partners recently gathered at the Greystone Event Center in Wooster to recognize those working to protect vulnerable children, highlighting both individual achievement and a broader message of resilience, self-care and community responsibility.

The event, held as part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, brought together law enforcement, social workers, educators and community leaders who are committed to strengthening families and ensuring child safety.

A central moment of the program was the recognition of Steven Hunter of the Rittman Police Department as the 2025 Wayne County Children Services Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Of the nine nominees, Hunter was honored for his work in high-risk cases involving children, including investigations tied to narcotics activity and situations requiring coordinated intervention to protect at-risk youth.

“I have personally worked with everyone here on this stage,” Hunter said. “They are all amazing law enforcement officers. If I could split this award up between all of us, I would.”

Hunter has also demonstrated a strong commitment to collaboration, working closely with Children Services personnel and other agencies to ensure comprehensive responses to complex cases.

“Every case is meaningful. But when there is a child involved, it makes it almost personal,” Hunter said. “We try to ensure every child is safe because they cannot control the environment they are in. They may not know any better; they might think it is a normal atmosphere where they are abused or neglected.”

The program featured keynote speaker Maurice F. Martin, who shared his own background as a survivor of childhood abuse and delivered a message focused on the emotional demands placed on professionals in child welfare and related fields. Drawing from both personal experience and professional work, Martin emphasized the importance of self-awareness and personal well-being for those serving others.

“The work you do matters, but you matter, too,” Martin said in his address, stressing self-care. “The healthier you become as a person, the healthier you will be as a professional.”

Martin also challenged participants to support one another within their organizations, recognizing that many who do critical work may never receive formal recognition.

Program host Gil Ning announced OneEighty Executive Director Bobbi Douglas as the recipient of the 2025 Child Advocate Award.

“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside children and families who have shown extraordinary strength in the face of trauma and instability,” Douglas said. “When we listen, protect and believe in them, we change the trajectory of their lives.”

The event reinforced the importance of community-wide involvement in preventing child abuse, with speakers emphasizing that effective prevention depends on partnerships among agencies, organizations and residents.

Dan Starcher is the communications coordinator for Wayne County.