LISBON — As Columbiana County recognizes April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, Children Services officials plan to conduct educational outreach days on Friday in East Liverpool and April 24 in Columbiana regarding safe sleep for babies.

“Babies lost due to unsafe sleep environments represent a heartbreaking and entirely preventable tragedy. Since the beginning of 2020, Columbiana County Children Services has investigated fatalities in which 45% were linked to unsafe sleep conditions,” county Department of Job and Family Services Director Rachel Ketterman said. “In 2025, we lost three infants for this reason, and tragically, two more in 2026.”

“These losses have occurred in different parts of the county and within families of many different circumstances. Unsafe sleep is not limited by geography, income or background — it can affect any family, anywhere,” she said.

The South Community Outreach Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the East Liverpool Way Station, 125 W. Fifth St. East Liverpool. The North Community Outreach Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 24 at the Columbiana Way

Station, 769 Springfield Road, Columbiana.

“Our county has resources available to help caregivers create safe sleep environments and access needed support. By working together and making use of these services, we can help prevent future tragedies and protect our youngest community members,” Ketterman said.

The ABCD’s of Safe Sleep include; A, Alone; B, Back; C, Crib; and D, Danger Free. The outreach days are open to families, caregivers and community members, with safe sleep education, free information and community resources.

During the commissioners’ meeting on Wednesday, Ketterman presented information about Child Abuse Prevention Month, some sobering stats regarding child abuse in Columbiana County, and an invitation for everyone to wear the color blue on April 8 to bring attention to child abuse.

In 2025, Children Services received 2,071 calls related to abuse, neglect and parents looking to receive voluntary services. Of those calls, 488 resulted in investigations of child abuse, neglect and dependency.

To recognize those investigations and bring attention to child abuse, 488 pinwheels will be planted on the Lisbon Square, an amount considerably more than the 411 planted in 2025.

Letters signed by Ketterman and by DJFS Social Services Administrator Tina Deal-Hendon were being sent out, urging businesses, schools, and county agencies to join in the Wear Blue Day next Wednesday, which is the second Wednesday of the month.

The letter said blue has been associated with child abuse awareness for many years, with this month’s Wear Blue Day the 16th for the county.

The letter also asked participants to take photos of their staff wearing their blue attire, so the photos can be shared on the DJFS website and other publications. Photos should be sent to Tina Deal-Hendon, at tina.deal@jfs.ohio.gov with the subject line of Wear Blue.

The commissioners approved a proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Columbiana County, urging “all citizens to be mindful of their responsibility to care for the children of our county and to support the county Children Services efforts.”

Ketterman said she would like to thank the residents of Columbiana County “for continuing their efforts in keeping children safe and reporting to Children Services. Without their partnership, we would not be able to assess child safety nor will we be able to change the lives of vulnerable children.”

The proclamation said, “We believe that all residents of our county, professional and private citizens alike, have a moral and legal obligation to protect the children of our county.”

The commissioners encouraged all citizens to become involved in the prevention of abuse and neglect of the children in the county.

Some of the other stats released included: 1,233 children involved with Children Services; 106 children living with relatives; 91 children in placement; 33 referrals made to Family Success Network; 21 licensed foster homes; 11 adoption finalizations, four emancipations and the annual net cost of foster care totaling $3,030,078.