Lucas County Children Services, the county agency responsible for leading the community in the protection of children, is sponsoring another in its ongoing series of “community conversations,” to be held Monday, May 19, 5 to 7 p.m., at the new Wayman Palmer YMCA, 200 East Bancroft Street, Toledo.
These free, open conversations begin with the topic of, “Safe Children, Safe Families.” LCCS staff, along with representatives of other community agencies, will discuss many of the concerns that families experience today, and the options that families and caregivers have to prevent child abuse and neglect:
•Details of the new LCCS Family Help Center hotline and how it works.
•Presentations on mental health from NAMI, Kinship Navigator from Area Office on Aging.
•Help for resource caregivers through Care Portal.
•LCCS’ role, and what happens when you call 419213-2273.
•Ways that families can address issues without LCCS intervention.
•How to de-escalate a situation or family conflict.
•Who to call in an emergency.
“These community conversations are a valuable exchange of information, perspectives, and ideas with our families and stakeholders,” explains Hope Bland, Ph.D., LCCS director of diversity, equity, inclusion and strategy. “More community partners are joining these monthly conversations to educate attendees on what they can offer children and families. Our leadership team, in turn, is educated on continuing community needs with the feedback those same attendees are providing. That creates a true win-win situation for everyone.”
Light refreshments will be available. Further meeting information is available at 419-- 213-3727.
