Photo by Gage Vota Chief of Government Relations and External Affairs for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth Joel Potts speaks at the annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Luncheon.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE – The Belmont County Department of Job and Family Services held its annual Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Luncheon on Tuesday at Undo’s West.

The annual event featured Chief of Government Relations and External Affairs for the Ohio Department of Children and Youth Joel Potts as its guest speaker.

“Each year, April is set aside and dedicated to recognizing the important work that needs to be done and taking place for child protection services and helping prevent child abuse and neglect,” Potts said. “This annual event brings community leaders together to talk about the importance of all the work that’s being done and yet to be done.”

He added that despite working in Columbus, he was born and raised in Belmont County.

“I was born and raised in Belmont County, so it’s always great to come back, but Belmont County also does just tremendous work. They are real leaders in this field and are recognized throughout the state of Ohio,” Potts said. “It’s great just to have the opportunity to come down here and thank them personally for the great work they’re doing, for the leadership they’re showing and the work they’re doing protecting kids.”

He added that in Ohio, more than 14,000 children are in protective custody. He said that tens of thousands of children are in kinship care situations, where grandparents, siblings and others are helping to raise kids.

“These children, their paths are rarely simple, and there are tremendous needs that are needed,” Potts said. “There’s a lot of great work that’s happening. Belmont County does tremendous work, especially by doing stuff like this, bringing the community together. It’s not just because of one program, it’s the community constantly working together to help make sure that we have the services in place that really help these kids, not just through their difficult situations they may be in today, but really help them thrive in the future.”

He then spoke about the important work and recognized what a great job DJFS, Belmont County law enforcement, Belmont County commissioners and all other county entities that put so much emphasis on protecting children.

DJFS Administrator Christine Parker said that more than 100 law enforcement officers, counselors, school personnel, juvenile court staff and elected officials attended the event Tuesday.

“We’ve been holding this event every year for for several years, and it’s just to recognize those in the community that help prevent child abuse and neglect,” Parker said. “I know we have representatives from different agencies here, but it’s really the whole community helping us do our job and the support that we get from them.”

Potts added that Wednesday is “Wear Blue Day” to bring awareness to child abuse prevention.

He said he’s frequently asked if he believes wearing a certain color really does anything of significance.

Potts then referenced the origin of the term “rednecks.”

At the turn of the 20th century, Appalachian miners wore red bandannas as a symbol of solidarity while fighting for better wages, safer workplaces and child labor protections in coal towns. The movement ultimately contributed to labor reforms, demonstrating how even simple acts of visible support can help drive meaningful change when backed by collective action.

“Let us not just say we care, let us show we care by wearing blue to be a reminder to recommit ourselves to the unmet challenges before us. Let us make this time of year to do more than just talk about the children we serve,” Potts said. “Let us use that to take these next steps and the evolution of serving kids and continue building programs that ensure children are safe and the assistance they need to thrive are in place. Change may not occur overnight, but continued focus will lead to meaningful progress improving our system and protecting Ohio’s children.”

He added that he has the privilege of showcasing the accomplishments that Belmont County has achieved throughout the state.