Byesville Rotary learns about Guernsey County Children Services

Picture 1: Joe Waske, Pres. Elect, Byesville Rotary; Kelly Lynch, Exec.Director GCCS.
Picture 2: Marty Patchen Membership Co-Chair, Travis Craig, Sharon Miller, Larry Miller, Membership Co-Chair

Readings for Sept. 29: September Rotarian: Mia Farrow," p. 40.

Events: Rotary District Seminar, Saturday, September 26.

Kelly Lynch, Executive Director of Guernsey County Children Services (GCCS), and five of her staff spoke to club members about the services provided to children and their families. “Our mission is to assure that all children have an environment that is free of abuse and neglect,” she said. GCCS works to achieve this goal by working to keep families intact and by empowering families to provide for the safety and security of their kids.

GCCS had 34 dedicated staff members working though a variety of programs aimed at reducing child abuse in Guernsey County. To date in 2009, GCCS has investigated 364 reports of mistreatment. Of those incidents reported, 144 were deemed valid and acted upon by the agency.

GCCS works hard to keep families intact by working with parents and children to change behaviors. Most incidents are resolved successfully. Only if all efforts to create a safe environment for a child fail will a child be placed in foster care. This year 11 children have been adopted. For more information or to report suspected child abuse, call GCCS at 740-439-5555.

The club inducted two new members—Travis Craig and Sharon Miller. The committee chair for the Red Eye Bus Tour to New York City reported that there were a few more seats left. Call Tanya Hitchens to reserve seats--581-2099 or jjhitchens@yahoo.com.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, September 29, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.