Raising awareness for child abuse

SANDUSKY — April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The 30-day observation period "recognizes the importance of families and communities working together to prevent child abuse and neglect," which falls under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, advocating for children. "Prevention services and supports developed by this collaboration can help parents, other caregivers and communities protect children and strengthen families," it added. Locally, each year, those serving at Erie County Job and Family Services take on several initiatives and partner with other community organizations to place a spotlight on this cause. Submit nominations Those in the children services department welcome nominations for the yearly the Aiding Children's Excellence Award event. Winners and nominees get honored for their continued kindhearted contributions toward area youth. "This is a great opportunity to recognize someone you know who has gone above and beyond for a child in the Erie County community," according to a local agency statement. All individuals are recognized at an awards banquet in May. Applications can be found by: • Visiting facebook.com/eriecountychildrenservices • Emailing deputy director Ashley Gilbert at ashley.gilbert@jfs.ohio.gov The banquet takes place on May 6 at Sawmill Creek Resort. Community outreach Among what else is happening throughout April in the local area for National Child Abuse Prevention Month: • Students from the Great Lakes Visual and Performing Arts Program with Sandusky Schools will paint Erie County Job and Family Services' front windows with an awareness display. • Child abuse awareness trinkets, keychains and bracelets will be available at select area locations. • The pinwheels for prevention display returns, an eye-catching visual featuring 1,144 pinwheels on the lawn outside Erie County Common Pleas Court in Sandusky. "These pinwheels represent the number of children served by the children services department in Erie County in 2025," according to an agency statement. "These pinwheels serve as a reminder that there is hope for children who suffer abuse and neglect, symbolize that every child deserves a happy and healthy childhood and solidify a promise that we must work together to prevent and end abuse." • Jordan's Country Diner in Huron will feature placemats, reading, "Help turn the tide against child abuse." • The Starbucks location in Sandusky's Kroger will use child abuse pinwheel stickers to promote awareness and prevention. • The Maca Root Juice Bar & Eatery in downtown Sandusky will also use child abuse pinwheel stickers to promote awareness and prevention as well as feature a child abuse blue smoothie, called blue power, in April. Wear blue As in years past, officials representing Erie County Job and Family Services want everyone in the local community to wear blue on April 8. "Wear Blue is a statewide awareness campaign that takes place on the second Wednesday of every April," according to the local agency. "The community is encouraged to wear blue that day to increase awareness and show support for preventing child abuse and neglect." The agency also encourages people to take individual and/or group photos of people — family members, co-workers, friends, etc. — dressed in blue and share those images on social media, using the hashtags #OhioWearsBlue2026 and #ItTakesACommunity. People can also email those photos to jackie.bellamy@jfs.ohio.gov. Photos emailed to the agency will be used to promote this initiative.