The staff and board of Athens County Children Services are shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Kaylen Young.  

The focus of our agency is to ensure the safety of children in this community, which makes the terrible abuse that Kaylen suffered weigh heavily on our shoulders.

A tragedy like this is a reminder of the dire importance to protect all children in our county. If you see abuse or neglect, please do not hesitate to report it. Our social work staff will continue their work with the families of Athens County to protect children and strengthen families.

Our agency will continue to work closely with the Athens County Sheriff's Department and the Athens Prosecutor's Office on this case.

The thoughts and prayers of Athens County Children Services staff and board are with Kaylen's family.

Trimble, Amesville, Coolville, The Plains and Chauncey Elementary Schools are among the poorest in the state. Over 70% of our students qualify for free or reduced breakfast and lunch. During the summer months, these children lose this much-needed subsidy. The Peanut Butter and Jelly Project aims to provide 1000 children in these elementary schools with PB&J this summer.

Donations for the 2011 Peanut Butter & Jelly Project can be brought to the following places:

Athens County Children Services

Friendly Paws Pet Supplies & Grooming

Inhale Yoga Studio

Stages Early Learning Center

American Legion Post 21

Athens Public Library

Wells Public Library

Nelsonville Public Library

Alden Library

Dairy Barn Arts Center

Stuart's Opera House 

We've received some wonderful donations to the PB&J Project. A huge thanks to recent OU alum Dana Householder for donating a $1000 scholarship and to Athens Elks Lodge #973 for making a $200 donation. Your generosity will help to feed hundreds of children in Athens County this summer!

Thanks to Lace Up for Kids, sponsored by Wendy's, Athens County Children Services, and Power 105-WXTQ-FM, hundreds of deserving school children will begin their 2011 school year with new shoes. This is the thirteenth consecutive year of the program. As many as 400 pairs of shoes have been donated each year to Athens County school children, but the need continues to grow. With the present economic situation, it's more important than ever to ensure that area children have a pair of shoes to wear to school.

Athens Wendy's restaurants, Athens County Children Services, and Power 105 are asking members of the community to purchase a new pair of tennis shoes and bring them to a Wendy's location on East State Street, Court Street or Richland Avenue through Friday, August 5. All sizes are needed for youngsters in kindergarten through junior high. There will be a drop-off container located at each store.

Athens County Children Services will accept applications from families who wish to receive the donated shoes beginning Thursday, July 7 through Monday, July 25, between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., at 18 Stonybrook Drive in Athens. The shoes will be distributed on Tuesday, August 16 at The Plains Elementary School. Applicants will be notified about their designated "shopping time".

Families that would like more information about the program may call Athens County Children Services at 592-3061 ext. 309. Local businesses are encouraged to make donations. Individuals, businesses or organizations who would like to make a monetary donation may forward their contribution of any amount to Lace Up for Kids, C/O Wendy's, P.O. Box 320 Athens, Ohio  45701 or at the WATH/WXTQ Studios, 300 Columbus Rd., Athens, Ohio.

Photo by Nathan Reitz

http://www.onemillionactsofkindness.com/

Insects, especially mosquitoes, commonly bite children and can make them miserable. There are many safe and effective insect repellents that you can use to protect your child. Here are a few tips to keep your children safe from insect bites:

• Do not use scented soaps, perfumes or hairsprays on your child before going outdoors.
• Children should wear clothing with long pants and long sleeves when insect exposure is prevalent, especially in wooded areas.
• Reduce the number of mosquitoes in an area by disposing of containers with standing water, which provide breeding places for mosquitoes.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of DEET products with a concentration of 5-10% on children older than 2 months. Repellents with DEET should not be used on children under 2 months old.
• When using insect repellent on a child, apply it to your own hands and then rub the product onto your child's exposed skin. Avoid children's hands, eyes, mouth, and open wounds, and use it sparingly around their ears.
• Do not apply repellent under clothing, and if it is applied to clothing, wash treated clothing before wearing again. Bathe children before bed if repellent has been used during the day.
• There are many different types of bug repellent. A few examples include:
  • OFF! Skintastic (5-10% DEET, provides 4 hour coverage).
  • DEET-free products include natural oils, such as citronella, patchouli, clove, and makaen (provide 2-4 hour coverage).
  • Other DEET-free products include: Avon's Skin So Soft, Bug-Away, Off-Botanicals, California Baby and Bite Blocker (made from soybean oil).

We hope these tips will help you to protect your children and help them to develop safe sun habits that will last a lifetime. Have a very enjoyable and safe summer!

July 7-25, 2011

Lace Up For Kids Applications Accepted 

Athens County Children Services will accept applications for the Lace Up For Kids project from July 7 to July 25. Families with school-age children (ages 5-14) whose income falls within 150% of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Applications are accepted Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.  

July 16, 2011

Kids Games at Boogie on the Bricks

Join the staff and volunteers of Athens County Children Services at the annual Boogie on the Bricks block party for fun with the castle jump, coloring stations, balloons, temporary tattoos and more!