36.

What is Renewal Issue 12?

Renewal Issue 12 is the Portage County Children Services Levy on the spring 2010 ballot. It will maintain services to protect children from sexual and physical abuse and neglect WITH NO NEW TAXES.

Why is Renewal Issue 12 important?

The services funded by the levy have protected thousands of children from sexual and physical abuse and neglect since the levy was first passed in 1985.  It helps maintain services that keep children safe and it also provides help for troubled families so they can be productive members of our communities. To read stories about children who have been helped and the wonderful community people who are foster parents, go to the campaign Web site at www.protectportagekids.com.

What services does Renewal Issue 12 fund?

Renewal Issue 12 funds services through Portage County Children Services. These include investigations of suspected child sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect; child abuse prevention; licensing of foster homes; counseling; emergency services to support families in crises; adoptions; studies of potential foster homes; parenting education and referrals for services.

Does the Issue 12 renewal levy fund the CARES Hotline?

Issue 12 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.

How many calls are handled each year?

In 2009, Portage County 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.

How much will the levy cost me?

Portage County voters are being asked to renew Issue 4 which is a 0.49-mill levy. THIS IS NOT A NEW TAX. The levy costs the owner of a house valued at $100,000 about a $0.80 per month, less than a cup of coffee. The five-year levy is not a tax increase.

What will happen if the levy is not renewed?

The Citizens Committee appreciates the compassion and understanding of Portage County voters who have renewed the issue since its passage in 1985. The levy brings in $1.1 million of the agency’s annual budget. What is so important about this levy is that Portage County Children Services uses levy funds as match to bring in more than $1 million in state and federal funds each year.

If the levy is not renewed, services will be reduced at a time when families are bearing larger than usual amounts of stress due to loss of jobs, benefits, shelter and income for basic needs. These stresses on families lead to domestic violence and threaten the well-being and sometimes the lives of children. The Citizens Committee believes Portage communities benefit from the services by helping children overcome adversity and grow into healthy adults while also supporting families as they try to survive difficult  times and devastating economic downturns.

How do I contribute to the campaign to protect Portage County children?

Send a check payable to the Portage County Child Welfare Citizens Committee to Tari Addison, Treasurer, PO Box 543, Ravenna, OH 44266.

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