By JULIE CARLE
BG Independent News
“Many hands make light work”—a proverb by 16th century English writer John Heywood—came to mind Monday morning when 40 sets of little hands from the First United Methodist Child Learning Center helped plant 948 silver and blue twirling pinwheels in front of the Bowling Green church on East Wooster St.
The 948 pinwheels represent the number of child abuse, neglect, and dependency investigations completed and families assisted in 2023. The bright, shiny spinning pinwheels are displayed every year during Child Abuse Awareness Month in April to make the public aware that Wood County is not immune to child abuse cases.
The number is down slightly from 2022, when there were 969 pinwheels, but the difference is “not statistically significant,” said David Wigent, director of Wood County Job and Family Services.
“We still have a long way to go. We received about 2,000 calls and about half of them don’t meet the legal requirements for investigation,” he said. However, there are often new issues that occur, the latest involving technology. Perpetrators are using the internet and social media to gain access to children and adolescents, Wigent said.
The Wood County Children’s Services staff do a remarkable job at handling the cases in the county, he said. They have been recognized by the state for the work they do, Wigent said.
“We are also fortunate to have the public’s support in Wood County,” he said. Voters have consistently supported the tax levy for the agency, which funds supports 60 to 70% of the cost to provide services here. Without the local levy, Wigent said he would likely have to reduce the number of staff. The local funds are imperative because the state is 49th in the nation in its support of child abuse prevention, he said.
“We never ask for more than we need,” he said about the levy funds. Last year, the agency returned 25% of its levy funds to the taxpayers.
The Wood County agency is also fortunate to have strong support from the Wood County Commissioners, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement, Wigent said. “The commissioners set the tone in the county by encouraging all of us to work together.”
“The pinwheels are a reminder to the public that child abuse and neglect does happen in Wood County,” said Sandra Carsey, Children’s Services administrator. “If anyone is concerned about a child, we want to help. We are here to support children and families. Removing a child from their home is the last resort.”
Anyone wanting to report concerns about child abuse or neglect may call Wood County Children’s Services at 419-354-9669.
