Title
To endorse Issue 4, the Franklin County Children Services levy, on the November 4th ballot.
Body
WHEREAS, Franklin County Children Services provides protection, care, and permanency for children in our community who are abused, neglected, or dependent; and
WHEREAS, each year, the agency helps more than 30,000 children by investigating allegations of child abuse and neglect, providing voluntary or court-ordered protective services to families whose children can remain safely in their own homes, helping parents resolve family challenges, and placing children in temporary foster care or permanent adoptive homes when necessary; and
WHEREAS, Franklin County Children Services protects and cares for children and their families through many community partnerships, including the Family-to-Family program, a partnership with local settlement houses; the Holiday Wish program, which relies on community support to provide gifts for nearly 5,000 children; and contracts with more than 100 community organizations that provide services to children and families; and
WHEREAS, in addition to providing services for thousands of children and families, last year Children Services mentored 350 children through its Friendship, Malaika, Simba, and College-bound programs; enrolled 309 children and youth in the Therapeutic Arts Program, a partnership with Transit Arts and Neighborhood House; provided 350 older youth with emancipation or independent living services; and finalized 153 adoptions; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, 90% of the foster care youth in Franklin County Children Services’ EdPASS program graduated from high school, compared with the national 50% graduation rate for seniors in foster care, while 255 of the agency’s foster care youth went on to college; and
WHEREAS, Franklin County Children Services protects children and promotes their well-being in a manner that honors family and culture; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
That this...
Click here for full text