ACCS Small Insights Logo
January 2011 � Volume 2 � Issue 1
10 Accomplishments in 2010
 
- We passed our 2-mill renewal levy with 69% of the vote.

 
- 22 children were adopted!

 
- A kinship program was initiated to support relatives caring for children.

 
- Through careful fiscal management, we were able to reduce expenditures by 9%.

 
- Our agency was selected to take part in the second wave of the Differential Response pilot program.

 
- We partnered with OSU Master Gardeners to start our first-ever community garden.

 
- The number of children in agency custody dropped from 123 to 91.

 
- The School Social Worker program was expanded to Athens City Schools with the help of federal grant funding from Project Launch.

 
- We saw 55 children reunified with their parents or kin.

 
- We developed and began work on a new two-year strategic plan.
 
 
Andrea Reik, Executive Director


Andrea Reik
Executive Director
Athens County Children Services
Ten Reasons to Adopt a Teen
 
1. We can help you figure out your cell phone, iPod, and computer!

2. We sleep through the night... even if grownups don't.

3. We will be ready to move out sooner.. but we can still visit!

4. No formula, diapers, or bottles required.

5. We can pick up after ourselves and do our own laundry.

6. We will keep you up-to-date with the latest fashions and trends!

7. You get to dress us up for the prom.

8. We can teach you the newest dance moves!

9. We will show you how to be more patient, understanding, kind, and empathetic.

10. Most importantly, we all need someone to share our holidays, dreams, achievements, and life with.
 
Teenage Youth Finds a Home!
 
Just weeks prior to his eighteenth birthday, one youth who wanted desperately to have a permanent family has found one!

He and his family are in pre-placement visits, but are anxious for him to move in because it is so hard to say good-bye to one another at the end of each visit. They like each other that much!
 
Employee of the Quarter: Tom Marx
 

Family Support Unit Supervisor Tom Marx has been nominated by one of his unit staff who said, "the Family Support Unit has been overwhelmed by numerous evening visits and he is always willing to stay and assist with those visits whenever it is needed."
 

The area of visitation is challenging with constant change in scheduling to meet the needs to the families and foster families. Tom utilizes volunteers in the community within the visitation services, which also requires training and orientation.
 

Tom always takes the time to speak with his staff and address any issues they may have. He and his team have done a great job at being innovative with the Master Garden project, Peanut Butter and Jelly Project, and Christmas party.


 

Thanks, Tom, for supervising this unit with grace, positivity and support for his staff and the families we serve.

Santa Tree in review
The 23rd annual Santa Tree project was able to provide holiday gifts for over 1400 Athens County children in need. Thanks to the generosity of the Athens County community, this is the highest number of children we've ever been able to help!

While even this list is not complete, here's just a sampling of the individuals, organizations, and businesses that stepped forward to provide gifts to Athens County children and families in need:

Us Guys Car Club, All Riders Club, Scott Thompson, Time Warner Cable, First United Methodist Church, Freed Chiropractic, Members of AFSCME Local 1699, Dr. Jack Brose and the Dean's Administrative Staff at OU-COM, PieceLover's Quilt Guild of Athens, OU Campus Involvement Center, Athens News, The Micchia Family, The Other Place, Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Affairs, Hickory Creek, Sultans of Smack, The Musillis, OU Office of Lifelong and Distance Learning, OU Alumni Association, County Commissioners Association of Ohio, OU Athletic Department, Follett's University Bookstore, Christ the King and St. Paul's, OU President's Office, Bobby Smathers and Nelsonville-High School, Holzer Clinic, Beta Alpha Psi, Marie Barnhart, Allison Groce, Sigma Sigma Phi and OU-COM, Annette Graham, O'Bleness Memorial Hospital, Diagnostic Hybrids, International Association of Administrative Professionals, Athens AM Rotary, Leadership Athens, OU Child Development Center, Alexander Middle School, Federal Hocking High School, Morrison Elementary Student Council, Sunpower, The Market on State, Hocking Valley Community Residential Center, OU Credit Union, Trimble Elementary School, Coolville and Amesville Elementary Schools, The Plains and Chauncey Elementary Schools, The Crystal, OU Office of the Vice President for Research, Annette Talbert, Larry & Jennie Long, Naomi Mayer, The Joann B. Fokes Living Trust, David Sanders, and many more!


The Santa Tree is humbling in so many ways, and we are so grateful for the community support. Thank you, and here's to 2011!

 
Sherri Oliver


Sherri Oliver
Public Relations and Community Events Coordinator

Upcoming Events
 
January 12, 2010
Stewards of Children Training
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
This FREE training, sponsored by the Athens County Child Advocacy Center, will take place at the Athens Public Library. You must register by emailing Jenny Byers at [email protected], or by calling the CAC at 740-566-4847.

January 22, 2011
"A Safe Place" Opening Reception
The Athens County Child Advocacy Center is excited to announce the First Annual "A Safe Place" Kids Art Show at The Dairy Barn. This juried art show, which celebrates Athens County children's artistic representations of "A Safe Place", will raise money to help abused and neglected children.


March 1, 2011

Foster Care Information Meeting
6:30pm - 8:30pm 
Join us to learn more about foster care and adoption. The meeting will be held in Building 14 at Athens County Children Services. Refreshments will be provided!

March 2011
National Social Work Month
This year's Social Work Month celebration showcases the expertise and dedication of professional social workers in helping to improve community life. 

April 2011
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Child Abuse Prevention Month aims to educate families and community members on what child abuse is and how to stop it from happening.
Contact Information
 
Sherri Oliver
Editor/Public Relations and Community Events Coordinator
Athens County Children Services
 
Please send any feedback, questions, or comments to Sherri Oliver at [email protected]
Join Our Mailing List

Our Mission

Protecting Children
Strengthening Families
Securing Futures

Contact Us

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, please call:

740-592-3061
(M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm)
 
1-877-477-0772
(After-hours, weekends, holidays)
 
If you would like more information on foster care and adoption, please call:
 
740-592-3061
(M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm)

Quick Links

Children Waiting
Austin, Lori, and Stephany
Austin, Lori, and Stephany love to play outside in the yard or at a park. Although they have different interests, one thing is certain- they love each other. All three are great eaters and love animals!

Austin1

Austin is almost 14 years old, and is currently in the 7th grade. He is polite, thoughtful, and always lets his little sisters go first. Austin recently started playing guitar and can already play songs from memory!

Lori1

Lori is currently in 6th grade. She is dedicated to her schoolwork and recently won a Principal Award at her school. She enjoys eating stuffing, chicken, and salad- but please, use iceberg and not spinach.

Stephany

Stephany is almost 9 years old and likes everything any other young girl enjoys. She enjoys doing jigsaw puzzles, watching iCarly, and playing with the younger kids in her foster home. Don't try to feed her chili or sloppy joes- she will go hungry before eating them!


Children Waiting
Christmas Tree
Do you have old Christmas/holiday cards that you no longer need? Donate them to Athens County Children Services! Each year, we use the fronts of old cards to make the ornaments for our Santa Tree project. Any donations of cards this year would be greatly appreciated and will be used in our 2011 Santa Tree. Questions? Call Sherri Oliver at 592-3061.


Want to make a difference in your community?

ACCS has a nine person board made up of citizens from the community and currently there are two vacancies.  We are particularly interested in individuals from the Nelsonville community to represent the interests of that section of the county.
 

If you would like additional information, please contact Andrea Reik at (740) 592-3061.