The National Association of Social Workers and Athens County Children Services celebrate March as Social Work Month. The theme this year is Social Workers Change Futures. The staff of Athens County Children Services embrace this challenge every day in their work with families.

The staff of Athens County Children Services are on the front lines daily advocating for clients, developing new programs, and delivering services. They help as the families of Athens County struggle with issues such as homelessness, poverty, alcohol and substance abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, and parenting challenges. At times there are barriers in the various systems in which the families are involved. Our staff aid families who are navigating the system by helping them in overcoming barriers to healthy functioning.

Why would somebody want to enter the field of social work? Social workers strive to make an impact on the clients and communities they serve. They are motivated to help remove the barriers that hold clients back from being the people they strive to be. They build on the knowledge learned in academic programs with the skills they have learned from those they serve in the community. Our staff value the uniqueness of each individual and believe that with support people can reach their full potential. Social work is a profession built on hope and grounded in problem-solving expertise. Athens County Children Services social work staff use their acquired skills and hone their craft to individually serve each child and family they encounter.

The social work staff at Athens County Children Services strive to inspire and empower positive change for families. Their continuous focus is to protect children through strengthening families so that promising futures can be secured for each child in Athens County.

As Ohio heads into a new biennial budget, many difficult decisions will have to be made. With a projected $8 billion dollar deficit, cuts will be felt across the state.

Athens County Children Services has endorsed the efforts of Advocates for Ohio's Future, which represents the health and human services, early care, and education agencies that provide the safety net for Ohio's most vulnerable citizens.

We encourage you to become involved with Advocates for Ohio's Future, by going to their website and learning more about how to contact your representatives, and getting facts about the critical services received by vulnerable populations in Ohio - including children right here in Athens County.

You can sign up as a supporter of the campaign by following this link.

Many tough decision lie ahead for our legislators, so please take the time to share with your friends, family, and legislators why health and human service funding in Ohio is important, how it has impacted your life, and your ideas for the future.

In an effort to provide better services to our community through

becoming accredited, we are collecting survey responses from the community. What do you think of the services we provide? Are we doing well? Are there areas where we can improve? To take the very brief survey, please follow this link:

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/WEB22BVL5VEENP   

Please note, your responses are confidential and greatly appreciated!

At the end of January, representatives from Dublin Girl Scouts traveled to Athens to deliver over 1500 hats, gloves, scarves, and winter coats that had been collected for Athens County Children Services and the Nelsonville Community Center. As part of their "Warm Hands, Caroling Hearts" program, the girls decided to collect scarves to benefit the victims of the September storms that affected the communities of Nelsonville and The Plains. School Social Worker Michele Mowrey, who splits her time between The Plains Elementary and Chauncey Elementary, will distribute the items to children in need at both schools.  

Thanks, Dublin Girl Scouts! 

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

Social Work Month showcases the expertise and dedication of professional social workers in helping to improve community life. The theme for Social Work Month 2011 is Social Workers Change Futures.  

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.

April 4, 2011

Pinwheels for Prevention

Everyone is invited to join the staff of ACCS as we plant pinwheels in recognition of the 1366 adults who raised their voice to protect a child in 2010. The planting ceremony will begin on the front lawn of ACCS at 10:30 am.

April 16, 2011

Movin' and Groovin'

A fundraiser for Athens CASA/GAL and the Athens County Child Advocacy Center. Featuring live music, live and silent auction, dancing, food, and drinks! For more information, visit movingroovin.org! 

April 30, 2011

22nd Annual Kidfest!  

Featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets Breakaway Tour, Snakes Near and Far, and many more performers and activities to be announced in the coming weeks!