RENEWAL

Issue 12

Portage County

Children Services Levy

Media Release

April 9, 2010

Contact: Pam Petrus, 330-673-6763 or ppetrus@diversainc.com

Renewal Issue 12, the Portage County Children Services Levy on the May ballot, will maintain services to protect children from abuse and neglect with no new taxes.

Ruth Carnes of Ravenna is chairman of the committee of volunteers working on the levy campaign.

“Renewal Issue 12 will not increase taxes for Portage County residents. Funds from the levy have protected thousands of children from sexual and physical abuse and neglect since it was first passed in 1985.  Thank you to voters for their continued support and their commitment to the welfare of our children,” said Carnes.

Carnes is the director of Early Childhood programs at Family and Community Services, Inc. She was previously the administrator of Portage County Child Health Services.

“The renewal of Issue 12 is essential to continue basic services that keep children safe. The funding helps us make sure they have the care they need to heal from abuse and trauma. We can also provide help for troubled families so they can be productive members of our communities,” Carnes added.

Other committee members include campaign treasurer Tari Addison of Ravenna, who is the accountant for the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services; Family and Community Services Executive Director Mark Frisone; Pam Petrus, owner of Diversa, Inc.; Hal Farrier, executive director of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County; Kent Board of Education member Brian Boykin; Jackie Parsons, executive director of Kent State University Dining Services and the KSU Student Center; Charles Tuttle, executive director of Children’s Advantage; and Anita Herington, director of the Portage County Department of Jobs and Family Services.

Issue 12 supporter Dominic Frisone, right front, is showing off the sign for the Portage County Children Services renewal levy at a recent campaign committee meeting. Signs are going up around the county starting this week. Set for the May ballot, renewal Issue 12 funds services to protect and care for children who have been sexually or physically abused or neglected. It is not a new tax. On hand for the committee meeting were, left to right, Pam Petrus of Diversa Inc., Family and Community Services Executive Director Mark Frisone, committee member and Children Services staff Keena Sosnowski, Mental Health & Recovery Board Executive Director Hal Farrier, Children's Advantage Executive Director Chuck Tuttle and, seated, committee chairperson Ruth Carnes.

Carnes emphasized that Portage County Children Services uses levy funds as match to bring in more than $1 million in state and federal funds each year.

Renewal Issue 12 funds services through Children Services. 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.

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.

In 2009 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.

Portage County voters are being asked to renew Issue 12 which is a 0.49-mill levy. The levy costs the owner of a house valued at $100,000 about $0.80 per month, less than a cup of coffee. The five-year levy is not a tax increase.

To join the campaign committee, call Carnes at 330-297-7027, ext. 300.