Renewal Issue 4, the Portage County Child Welfare Levy on the fall ballot, will maintain services to protect children from abuse and neglect with no new taxes.
Ruth Carnes of Ravenna will lead the committee of volunteers working on the levy campaign.
"Renewal Issue 4 will not increase taxes for Portage County residents. The services funded by the levy have protected thousands of children from sexual and physical abuse and neglect since the levy was first passed in 1985. We thank voters for their continued support and their commitment to the welfare of our children," said Carnes.
Carnes has had more than 27 years experience working with children and families. She has worked as the director of Early Childhood programs at Family and Community Services, Inc., for the past two-and-a-half years. She was previously the administrator of Portage County Child Health Services and was also on staff at the Portage County Extension Service.
"The renewal of Issue 4 is critical. It helps us maintain services that keep children safe and it also provides help for troubled families so they can be productive members of our communities," Carnes added.
Other committee members include campaign treasurer Tari Addison of Ravenna, who is the accountant for the Portage County Department of Job and Family Services; Family and Community Services Executive Director Mark Frisone; Pam Petrus, owner of Diversa, Inc.; Hal Farrier, executive director of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County; Kent Board of Education member Brian Boykin; Jackie Parsons, executive director of Kent State University Dining Services and the KSU Student Center; Charles Tuttle, executive director of Children's Advantage; and Anita Herington, director of the Portage County Department of Jobs and Family Services.
Carnes emphasized that Portage County Children Services uses levy funds as match to bring in more than $1 million in state and federal funds each year.
Renewal Issue 4 funds services through Children Services. These include investigations of suspected child sexual abuse, physical abuse or neglect; licensing of foster homes; counseling; emergency services to support families in crises; adoptions; studies of potential foster homes; parenting education and referrals for services.
Issue 4 covers the cost of the 24-hour CARES Hotline that allows concerned citizens to report cases of child and teen sexual and physical abuse and neglect. The calls are screened to determine if an investigation is needed.
In 2008, Children Services received more than 3,600 calls reporting abuse, neglect or troubled families needing services. The agency also provided alternative placements for more than 200 youth in need of safe, stable environments.
Portage County voters are being asked to renew Issue 4 which is a 0.75-mill levy. The levy costs the owner of a house valued at $100,000 four cents per day. The five-year levy is not a tax increase.
To learn more about the campaign, visit www.protectportagekids.com. To join the campaign committee, call Carnes at 330-297-7027, ext. 300.