Ohio State Maintains Support of Child Abuse Prevention, Child-Advocacy Programs

COLUMBUS, Ohio –The Ohio State University will again designate dollars received from the Big Ten Conference to two local child-advocacy organizations, “The Center for Family Safety and Healing, which is located on the campus of Nationwide Children’s,” and the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County (CASA).

The funds were made available as a result of the NCAA ban on Penn State participating in bowl games following the 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 football seasons. The NCAA required that Penn State relinquish bowl game revenue during that timeframe to the Big Ten’s 12 member-schools, and requested that the 12 member-schools donate the funds to organizations that have a “child-focused cause.”

Ohio State will again allocate $150,000 to The Center for Family Safety and Healing, and $79,367.29 to CASA, an increase of over $41,023 from the previous year to that organization. The increased donation to CASA was made possible by a larger pot of bowl revenues being available this year.

“Last year, we chose to allocate these funds to The Center for Family Safety and Healing and to CASA,” said Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith. “We are so pleased to be able to again support these two incredible resources that in turn support families at their most vulnerable. We hope to shine a bright light on these critically important entities and inspire others to give as well.”

The Center for Family Safety and Healing offers victims of abuse a continuum of services from prevention through long-term therapy and support. The center was the first in the nation to combine domestic violence and child-abuse services so that children and their non-offending family members have a single safe place to seek help and rebuild their lives.

CASA, the only organization in Franklin County training individuals to advocate for children suffering from violent abuse and severe neglect, serves as a guardian ad litem agency for these victims. After screening and training, the volunteer advocates become sworn officers of the court, looking out for the best interests of children.

About The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University is a dynamic community of diverse resources, where opportunity thrives and where individuals transform themselves and the world. Founded in 1870, Ohio State is a world-class public research university and the leading comprehensive teaching and research institution in the state of Ohio. With more than 63,000 students (including 57,000 in Columbus), the Wexner Medical Center, 14 colleges, 80 centers and 175 majors, the university offers its students tremendous breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences and the professions.