Dayton, Ohio (Nov. 15, 2011) – Representing more than 40 pastors and ministry leaders across Ohio, two Dayton area pastors today called on Ohio policymakers to continue their support of proven strategies to reduce child abuse and neglect. The pastors released a new report showing that more than 34,000 Ohio children were abused or neglected in 2009— 90 children per day—with 79 children dying as a result of abuse and neglect in 2009 alone.
The press conference took place as Ohio state legislators begin to consider next year’s state budget, which is expected to be one of the tightest in recent memory.
Rev. Lawrence Long, pastor of the Dayton Worship and Government Center in Kettering and Pastor Don Solin, pastor of Next Generation Ministries at Fairhaven Church in Dayton, released the new report, called Strengthening Families, Protecting Children, which was prepared by the faith-based non-profit Shepherding the Next Generation.
According to the report, high-quality voluntary home visiting programs are highly successfully in reducing child abuse and neglect by providing resources to parents of young children before serious problems occur. Among other critical services, these programs provide pregnant mothers and new parents with advice and support on how to raise a healthy child during the first years of life.
“Families today are struggling. The numbers show that more than 34,000 Ohio children were confirmed victims of abuse or neglect in 2009, a rate of about 90 children abused or neglected every day. At least 79 Ohio children died from abuse or neglect in that same year,” Rev. Long said. “Faith is what drives us, and our faith calls us to take action. We have looked at the research for the most cost-effective ways to help strengthen families. Voluntary home visiting programs are a proven way to reduce child abuse and neglect.”
The pastors noted that the Nurse-Family Partnership, a national home visiting program that assists families in Dayton, has shown marked improvements among at-risk new parents who elected to receive these visits.
Among program results noted in the report:
- Abuse and neglect was cut nearly in half
- The affected children’s involvement in later crime was cut by more than half
- The children’s fathers were more involved with their families, and
- The mothers were up to a third less likely to be dependent on welfare.
Pastor Solin said that the report is cause for hope in the effort to promote stronger family life in Ohio and prevent child abuse and neglect.
“We’re here today on behalf of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Ohio to urge our representatives to support—and expand—access to home visiting programs,” Rev. Long said. “We believe in limited and conservative government. But we also believe government has a role to play in helping break the tragedy of child abuse and neglect by supporting research-proven initiatives, like home visiting programs. Our community is only as strong as its families – so let’s build stronger families.”
Pastor Solin explained that some families have a difficult experience in child rearing, lacking knowledge, resources, or the support of a spouse. Research has shown that pairing nurses with young, poor women experiencing their first pregnancy can be very effective in reducing child abuse and neglect and improving parenting skills.
Pastor Solin noted that Nurse-Family Partnership has helped over 2,300 women and their babies in Ohio since 1996, and 358 women and children in the past year, including many in Dayton. Thousands of families are stronger because of our state’s support for home visiting programs.
“Supporting the most-at risk families can help children live with dignity, safety, and health and make positive contributions to society,” Pastor Solin said. “And it makes it more likely these children will be better able to raise strong, healthy families of their own. That is why we support Governor John Kasich and state legislators in their efforts to maintain funding for voluntary home-visiting programs and to take advantage of federal grants available to expand these programs.”
“Help Me Grow, Ohio’s statewide early childhood initiative, provides funds to counties to run home visiting programs,” said John Crupper, national director of Shepherding the Next Generation. “Governor Kasich has supported voluntary home visiting in the past and we urge him to support quality home visiting programs like Nurse-Family Partnership next year during budget discussions,” he said. “We want to make sure that more children have the opportunity to pursue lives of health, opportunity, personal faith and strong values.”
Shepherding the Next Generation is a national, non-profit organization of Christian leaders with more than 100 members in Ohio and Tennessee. The group is committed to the development of strong and healthy American families, whose children are equipped with strong values and skills for success.