Mahoning County Children Services, in partnership with the community, is committed to being the leader in protecting children while helping preserve families. In , the passage of the Comprehensive Children Services Act mandated that each county provide social services for children and their families. This facility was operational from until The institution was closed as child welfare practice in Ohio began transition to a foster family care model.
In the mid-sixties the agency became the Children Services Board and began conducting investigations of child abuse and neglect. In the first Receiving Home was purchased for short-term care of children. This home was replaced by the William Swanston Receiving Home in In the first group home for boys was opened.
These two homes were consolidated into what is now known as the Boys Child Care Center in Use of a second facility was donated by a local philanthropic organization and became the Girls Child Care Center opening in By , however, Mahoning County Children Services was one of only four counties in Ohio which retained government run residential facilities. In , the Children Services Board made the difficult decision to transition away from providing congregate care as a governmental function.
Therefore, both residential facilities closed in July of We take pride in working with families and our community with care and compassion. We are fiscally responsible, effectively utilizing resources to benefit the families we serve.
We educate the community on recognizing and preventing child abuse and neglect. We empower parents and partner with families to ensure child safety, permanency and well-being. We recognize children are best served within their family and community. We recognize the need to work in collaboration with the community to protect children and preserve families. We support the well-being of children and families; it is a shared agency and community responsibility.
