Gun Safety
About forty percent of households with children under the age of seventeen have a gun in the house. As a parent, you may not realize what a serious risk a gun in the home is, especially for children. Having firearms in
the home increases the risk of unintentional shootings, suicide and homicide.
Franklin County Children Services urges you to be responsible about gun safety. We have some resources you need to keep kids safe. Call (614) 275-2523 or research gun safety tips at Safekids.org. Remember lock it up. The life you save may be your child's.
Preventing Teen Suicide
FCCS is partnering with Columbus Public Health (CPH) along with Nationwide Children’s Hospital to increase awareness and promote limiting access to lethal means. Through their Locks Save Lives campaign, CPH stresses the importance of safeguarding guns, medication and alcohol, especially if there are concerns about suicide. Those who may not be able to afford lockboxes, may receive one by sending an email to ChildInjuryPrevention@columbus.gov. Also, The City of Columbus has partnered with Columbus Fire to offer free gun locks. These gun locks are available to any Columbus resident, no questions asked, at all Columbus fire stations between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
If you suspect a youth is thinking about ending their life, get help! Call the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Line at (614) 221-5445 or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. If you need help immediately, dial 911.
Additional resources include:
24-Hour Teen Suicide Hotline - (614) 294-3300
Franklin County Youth Psychiatric Crisis Line:
Call (614) 722-1800 for youth and adolescents ages 17 and under
Teen Crisis Line - Text “4hope” to 741-741
FCCS has compiled information about resources available to the Franklin County community during the COVID-19 pandemic on our COVID-19 Resources webpage. There are resources for caring for children in case of illness, accessing testing and parenting tips. You’ll also find information on mental health, child care, education, recipes and more. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for frequent updates on resources available in the community.
This is also a time when concerns about child abuse and neglect have increased and the attention of the community is needed to keep children safe. Check in with families, and if you suspect child abuse or neglect are occurring, contact our 24-hour hotline at (614) 229-7000.
New Inspiring Job Opportunity
Franklin County Children Services (FCCS), Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and the National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP) have partnered to start a peer parenting program. NYAP is currently looking to hire a Peer Parent Mentor as part of this program. This position offers a unique opportunity for an individual with first-hand experience to provide mentoring to clients whose children have an open case with FCCS. For more information click Peer Parent Mentor Job Opportunity.
