Aug. 20, 2010
Kids' Expo Highlights Summit for Kids
Children and families can take advantage of free services, educational sessions and Operation Fresh Start on Saturday at the second day of the Summit for Kids.
According to Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Teodosio, a team of Summit County professionals who work with children developed a community plan on three goals arising out of the initial statewide Summit on Children in May 2008. The local follow-up summit was designed to present the progress on the goals, which include: working with preschool children to prepare them and their parents for school; treating kids locally instead of placing them residentially or with the Department of Youth Services; and providing youth aging out of the system with a smoother transition to adulthood.
Supreme Court of Ohio Chief Justice Brown spoke during the summit’s luncheon today. “When Gov. Strickland and the late Chief Justice Moyer conceived of the original Summit on Children, they urged Ohio’s 88 counties to gather to share ideas on how to improve the safety, well-being and permanent home environments of Ohio children,” he said. “It’s clear from the work being performed in Summit County, that team members have taken this challenge to heart and are succeeding in their efforts.”
Judge Teodosio said the team was “excited about the opportunity to let community professionals and our citizens know of the many things that are going on to help kids be successful, to keep families involved and healthy, and to keep our community safe.”
Saturday’s kids’ expo includes free dental checks, free immunizations, back-to-school giveaways, entertainment and community organizations’ information booths. The educational sessions will focus on children’s mental health and applying for college and financial aid.
Through its Court in the Community program, the juvenile court will allow residents to apply to seal their juvenile records for a fresh start, Teodosio said. She also noted that court costs for these applications will be waived at the summit. “Due to a remote connection to our case management system and the cooperation of the University of Akron School of Law, Community Legal Aid, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office and local attorneys, some folks will be able to get their records sealed on the spot.”
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.