State law requires that preschools and day care centers have a person trained in child abuse recognition and prevention on staff at all times. To help area child care providers fulfill this requirement, Summit County Children Services (SCCS) is once again offering area child care employees free trainings in child abuse and neglect recognition and prevention.

A six-hour initial training on Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect will be held at Children Services’ main building, 264 S. Arlington St., Akron, on Tuesday, October 11 and Thursday, October 13 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. each evening (PLEASE NOTE: you must be on time and attend both evenings to receive credit for this training).

A three-hour review training on the topic of Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect will be held on Tuesday, October 4 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Summit County Children Services’ main building, 264 S. Arlington St., Akron.

These trainings, conducted by SCCS Community Educator Lisa Hamilton-Green, LSW, are specifically designed to meet the requirements for all child care employees, child care centers and Type A homes. Topics covered in the trainings include: an overview of Summit County Children Services, indicators of child abuse and neglect, mandated reporting, prevention of child abuse, and community supports that are available for families.

Space is limited, so registration for these trainings is required and is limited to the first 50 registrants. Doors open for the trainings 30 minutes prior to the start time. Trainings will begin promptly on time, and no one will be permitted a late entrance. PLEASE NOTE: The next series of Child Abuse and Neglect Trainings will not be offered until February 2017.

More information and online registration is available by visiting the agency’s website at summitkids.org and clicking on the links located in the story entitled “Child Abuse and Neglect Training for Child Care Professionals.” Those interested can also contact Lisa Hamilton-Green directly by phone at (330) 379-2090 or by email at lgreen@summitkids.org.