County recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, announces events

Lorain County will officially recognize April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Lorain County Children Services will hold several events this month to raise awareness and educate residents on child abuse and neglect in the county. Lorain County commissioners voted at their March 27 meeting to officially proclaim April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. April was first recognized as such nationally in 1983. According to Children Services, in 2025 the agency received 5,466 reports alleging child abuse and neglect. Of those reports, LCCS investigators found that 1,805 warranted further investigation. In recognition of the month, Children Services has partnered with several community organizations and planned multiple events to not only raise awareness for child abuse and neglect, but to promote prevention efforts. "Child abuse prevention starts with strong families and a supportive community," said Kristen Fox Berki, executive director of Lorain County Children Services, in a news release. "We all have a role to play in ensuring that children are safe, supported and able to thrive. These activities throughout April are an opportunity for our community to come together, raise awareness and take action." The agency held its first event before April even began, as on Monday a group of Avon Lake High School Key Club students helped place nearly 1,000 blue pinwheels on the lawn of the children service Connection Center. The pinwheel and the color blue serve as symbols of child abuse prevention. Individuals or organizations interested in displaying pinwheels can pick them up at the Children Services office on the third floor of the county administration building, 226 Middle Avenue in Elyria. Elyria will illuminate Cascade Falls in blue for the entirety of the month. Residents are encouraged to participate in Ohio Wears Blue Day on April 8, by wearing blue in recognition of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Children Services is hosting several events throughout the month to try and improve the lives of local kids and prevent child abuse and neglect. LCCS will hold a foster care open house on Tuesday, April 7 from 6-8 p.m. for community members interested in becoming foster parents. The event will feature stories from young people who have been through the foster system, and attendees will be able to ask questions and even take the first steps to becoming a foster parent, if they choose to. In January, Judith Padua, foster care recruiting coordinator for Lorain County Children Services, said that the agency is in need of more foster families within the county so that children do not have to be moved elsewhere while they are in foster care. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested through ChildrenServices.org or by calling (440) 329-5608. On April 25, LCCS will partner with the Elyria Parks and Recreation Department to hold Ensure They Shine, a free family fun day event at the Elyria North Park Ice Arena. The event will feature games, crafts, activities and refreshments for kids and families to enjoy, but will also have representatives from dozens of local resource organizations which can offer assistance to families. It will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. In the final event of the month, LCCS, in partnership with Blessing House and Ever Lifted Ministries of Education, will observe Blue Sunday on Sunday, April 26. Blue Sunday is an annual day of prayer for abused and neglected children and Lorain County will mark it with a community event at 3:00 p.m. at Blessing House, 6115 Olivet Ave, Elyria. Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.