BATAVIA, OH (July 8, 2020) — Clermont County Children’s Protective Services today explained the need for renewal of an .8-mill, 5-year levy on the November ballot. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $24.04 a year. Voters have approved the .8-mill levy seven times since 1986.

“This is not an increase,” said Timothy Dick, Director of Clermont County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) at today’s Board of County Commissioners meeting. Children’s Protective Services is a part of DJFS. “This is a renewal.”

The levy generates about half of Children’s Protective Services funding, with the remainder coming from state and federal sources.

Children’s Protective Services investigates allegations of abuse and neglect. Many are reported through the 732-STOP line.

The agency also works with families to create safe homes for children through education, treatment and services by assessing, engaging, partnering and collaborating. And it seeks to find “forever families” when reunification is not an option. (Learn more about foster parenting at 732-7765 or www.ClermontForKids.org.)

In 2019, Dick said, Children’s Protective Services investigated:

• 788 allegations of physical abuse. These include cases involving serious inflicted injury (skull fracture, broken bones), shaken baby, newborns with positive screen for illegal/legal substance, or a child witnessing continued domestic violence at home.
• 129 allegations of sex abuse against children. These included inappropriate sexual contact with a related adult by force or coercion, sexual activity between a child and caregiver, or photographing or videotaping a child without clothing for the purpose of exploitation/gratification.
• 684 allegations of neglect of children. These included cases involving conditions of the home that impacted the safety of the child, substance abuse by a caregiver that impacted the safety of the child, or lack of supervision/child alone for extended period of time without monitoring.

Dick pointed out that child abuse and neglect occurs in every township, in every municipality. It happens at every socio-economic level.