The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, Local 1696, has endorsed renewal Issue 4, the Portage County Child Welfare Levy , on the Nov. 3 ballot. Issue 4 will not increase taxes.
The renewal issue was also endorsed by the AFSCME Power in Action group representing 80,000 active and retired members of AFSCME Ohio Council 8 and Retiree Chapter 1184.
Local President Lynne Porter and Vice President John Haynes announced the endorsement on behalf of the organization at a presentation Wednesday which included a donation to the campaign from Power in Action.
Porter said the members of Local 1969 support Issue 4 because it funds services that are necessary to the health and well being of Portage County children.
“We are grateful to the members of AFSCME for their endorsement of Renewal Issue 4. This kind of support from Portage County residents and workers demonstrates the importance of maintaining the funding for services that protect children and help families,” said Ruth Carnes, chairman of the campaign committee, the Portage County Child Welfare Levy Citizens Committee.
Renewal Issue 4 funds services through the Public Children Services Agency. These include investigations of suspected child sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect; licensing of foster homes; counseling; emergency services to support families in crises; adoptions; studies of potential foster homes; parenting education and referrals for services. The five-year levy is not a tax increase.
Issue 4 covers the cost of the 24-hour CARES Hotline that allows concerned citizens to report cases of child and teen sexual and physical abuse and neglect. The calls are screened to determine if an investigation is needed.
In 2008, Children Services received more than 3,600 calls reporting abuse, neglect or troubled families needing services. The agency also provided alternative placements for more than 200 youth in need of safe, stable environments.