Pinwheels a reminder to prevent child abuse
Community Pinwheel Walk scheduled for Sunday in Medina
County commissioners declared April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month and presented a proclamation stating that to Rhonda Wurgler of the Children’s Center. Shown here with the proclamation are (from left) Commissioners Adam Friedrich, Bill Hutson, Wurgler and Pat Geissman. Photo by GLENN WOJCIAK
MEDINA – April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month in Medina County, declared by Medina County Commissioners at their regular meeting April 3.
The annual campaign to prevent child abuse here and around the country is symbolized by the pinwheel which you are likely to see displayed by children’s advocates throughout the month.
If you think child abuse does not happen here, think again. The reality is that child abuse is not something that happens in other communities. There were 627 investigations into child abuse and neglect in Medina County last year. And that is only the reported number. Experts believe there are many incidents of child abuse occurring that are not reported each year.
According to Rhonda Wurgler, director of the Children’s Center of Medina County, research shows that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
Each of the 627 cases of suspected abuse and neglect reported here last year are represented by a pinwheel which was scheduled to be placed on the lawn outside St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Medina April 8 as part of the Community Pinwheel Walk to prevent Child Abuse, which will begin at 1 p.m. at the Medina Square and feature a small ceremony and guest speakers.
The annual event is coordinated by the Children Center of Medina County established in 2005 to enhance the coordination and implementation of special services required by children who are victims of sexual abuse, children in foster care, at-risk youth and their caretakers.
Of the 627 investigations into abuse and neglect conducted here last year, 103 were considered sexual abuse cases, according to Wurgler. Furthermore, the problem seems to be increasing since the Children’s Center investigated 466 cases of neglect in 2016, 66 of which were considered sexual abuse.
Medina County commissioners lent their support to the effort to curb child abuse by adopting a resolution designating April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
The resolution stated, in part: “Child abuse and neglect not only directly harms children, but also increases the likelihood of long term physical and mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse, continued family violence and criminal behavior. Child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support it needs in raising children in a safe, nurturing environment and Medina County remains steadfast in its commitments to the safety and security of our children and families.”
Gasoline sale
Cuyahoga Landmark won a bid to sell the Medina County Engineering Center 5,600 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline for $1.83 per gallon.
Personnel expenses
County commissioners authorized the travel expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $1,860 for a member of the county prosecutor’s staff to attend a seven-month course in basic peace officers training; $2,200 for Treasurer John Burke to attend a week-long conference in Reno, Nev.; $700 for Judge Kevin Dunn to attend a four-day conference in Cleveland; $625 for a member of the Job and Family Services Department staff to receive training on welfare fraud, and $615 for two employees in the Child Support Enforcement Agency to attend a two-day seminar in Columbus.
Spring leaders
County commissioners issued commendations to 30 high school girls selected for the Spring Leadership Ball in service of Feeding Medina County.
They are Melina Barlow, Regan Burridge, Breana Clifford, Elizabeth Cooper, Erika Coseo, Lilian Cox, Annamarie DiGiacobbe, Alyssa Drehs, Natalie Ely, Isabella Field, Melissa Gottschalk, Meriwether Harmon, Hannah Heath, Janiece Joyner, Brianna Kean, Julia Knox. Carlee Lisser, Crosbee Lisser, Kaila Oberhaus, Megan Polk, Rebecca Prandi, Abigail Raitano, Olivia Severyn, Katrina Skala, Adrian Slovenec, Brooke Swain, Emily Walburn, Lisa Wangler, Bethany Yu and Alexis Zgrabik.
The annual campaign to prevent child abuse here and around the country is symbolized by the pinwheel which you are likely to see displayed by children’s advocates throughout the month.
If you think child abuse does not happen here, think again. The reality is that child abuse is not something that happens in other communities. There were 627 investigations into child abuse and neglect in Medina County last year. And that is only the reported number. Experts believe there are many incidents of child abuse occurring that are not reported each year.
According to Rhonda Wurgler, director of the Children’s Center of Medina County, research shows that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
Each of the 627 cases of suspected abuse and neglect reported here last year are represented by a pinwheel which was scheduled to be placed on the lawn outside St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Medina April 8 as part of the Community Pinwheel Walk to prevent Child Abuse, which will begin at 1 p.m. at the Medina Square and feature a small ceremony and guest speakers.
The annual event is coordinated by the Children Center of Medina County established in 2005 to enhance the coordination and implementation of special services required by children who are victims of sexual abuse, children in foster care, at-risk youth and their caretakers.
Of the 627 investigations into abuse and neglect conducted here last year, 103 were considered sexual abuse cases, according to Wurgler. Furthermore, the problem seems to be increasing since the Children’s Center investigated 466 cases of neglect in 2016, 66 of which were considered sexual abuse.
Medina County commissioners lent their support to the effort to curb child abuse by adopting a resolution designating April Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.
The resolution stated, in part: “Child abuse and neglect not only directly harms children, but also increases the likelihood of long term physical and mental health problems, alcohol and substance abuse, continued family violence and criminal behavior. Child abuse and neglect can be reduced by making sure each family has the support it needs in raising children in a safe, nurturing environment and Medina County remains steadfast in its commitments to the safety and security of our children and families.”
Gasoline sale
Cuyahoga Landmark won a bid to sell the Medina County Engineering Center 5,600 gallons of regular unleaded gasoline for $1.83 per gallon.
Personnel expenses
County commissioners authorized the travel expenses for several county employees to attend a series of out-of-town meetings and training seminars. Among those expenses were $1,860 for a member of the county prosecutor’s staff to attend a seven-month course in basic peace officers training; $2,200 for Treasurer John Burke to attend a week-long conference in Reno, Nev.; $700 for Judge Kevin Dunn to attend a four-day conference in Cleveland; $625 for a member of the Job and Family Services Department staff to receive training on welfare fraud, and $615 for two employees in the Child Support Enforcement Agency to attend a two-day seminar in Columbus.
Spring leaders
County commissioners issued commendations to 30 high school girls selected for the Spring Leadership Ball in service of Feeding Medina County.
They are Melina Barlow, Regan Burridge, Breana Clifford, Elizabeth Cooper, Erika Coseo, Lilian Cox, Annamarie DiGiacobbe, Alyssa Drehs, Natalie Ely, Isabella Field, Melissa Gottschalk, Meriwether Harmon, Hannah Heath, Janiece Joyner, Brianna Kean, Julia Knox. Carlee Lisser, Crosbee Lisser, Kaila Oberhaus, Megan Polk, Rebecca Prandi, Abigail Raitano, Olivia Severyn, Katrina Skala, Adrian Slovenec, Brooke Swain, Emily Walburn, Lisa Wangler, Bethany Yu and Alexis Zgrabik.
