Jen Yasho receives regional Everyday Ohio Hero Award | News, Sports, Jobs

THANK YOU — Jen Yasho, an intake caseworker since 2008 for Job and Family Services, Children Services Division, has been selected as one of eight Ohioans to receive the Everyday Ohio Heroes Award. It is presented in April during National Child Abuse Prevention Month by the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund.
— Contributed

WINTERSVILLE — Jen Yasho, an intake caseworker since 2008 for Job and Family Services, Children Services Division, may not think of herself as a “hero” for the work that she does, but the Columbus-based Ohio Children’s Trust Fund begs to differ.

The OCTF, Ohio’s sole public funding source dedicated to child abuse and child neglect prevention, has singled out eight Ohioans during National Child Abuse Prevention Month who were nominated as heroes in their community for their work in supporting local children and families.

Each year, one person or organization in each of OCTF’s eight regions is awarded an Everyday Ohio Heroes Award. Yasho, Eastern Ohio’s recipient, was presented her award on April 7 during a Zoom “watch party” held at the Brilliant Community Center.

A news release acknowledging the regional winners noted Yasho “works tirelessly to ensure the safety of every child her agency cares for, even if it is not her case. She shows up every day, often working overtime, to make sure that no child is left in a dangerous situation. Jen stands up for the children of Jefferson County and is not afraid to advocate on their behalf. Overall, Jen is hard working, kind and committed to help aid and prevent child abuse in the county every single day.”

Presented during National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Everyday Ohio Heroes Award was established under OCTF’s Be a Hero in the Eyes of a Child campaign to recognize individuals and organizations who dedicate their time, efforts and lives to preventing child abuse and neglect.

“Our primary goal is to protect children and prevent child abuse and neglect by investing in strong communities and healthy families,” commented Lindsay Williams, OCTF executive director.

“To accomplish our mission we rely on the ‘heroes’ in every community who treat this goal as their personal mission. This year’s honorees all exemplify that. They are our heroes here at OCTF, but more importantly, they are heroes to the children and families they serve,” Williams added.

Yasho, who earned her degree in social work at Franciscan University of Steubenville, wasn’t always sure what line of work she wanted to pursue but she did know she wanted to be “in a helping profession.”

“During school, Children Services was my first internship at Job and Family Services, and it turns out I never left,” she explained. “Many of the people I currently work with were there when I first started, in particular the supervisors, and I definitely would not be where I am today without their support and guidance,” she added.

The job is not a 9-to-5 one, according to Yasho. “Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, workers are available and often times working to ensure the safety of our children. Often times this can also be a thankless job so workers must be confident in themselves, what they are doing and the decisions that are being made,” Yasho noted.

And no day is the same.

“However, each day is approached the same way, and that is I know I get to help people and, more importantly, children in our community are a little safer with the work that we do,” Yasho explained. “In helping others, they also help me. Working at Children Services brings so many valuable lessons and brings so many life experiences I know I couldn’t get anywhere else.”

Part of Yasho’s job involves conducting forensic interviews, which are conducted at A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center in Wintersville.

“A Caring Place provides our families with a safe, neutral location during some of their most difficult times,” Yasho noted. “A Caring Place staff is wonderful in assisting our families with various resources and also are available around the clock to assist our agency.”

Yasho, who served as a board member for A Caring Place Child Advocacy Center from December 2015 through December 2018, including one year as its president, was nominated for the award by two A Caring Place representatives.

One was Amy Lingerfelt, its director and advocate, who commented, “Our community is full of everyday heroes, but Jen truly showed a deep dedication to the children of our county over the last several years. This recognition is just one way we can tell her thank you for all her service.”

Taylor Norman, lead child and family advocate at A Caring Place, was the other nominator. “We’re extremely grateful for all the things Jen does for the kids and families of Jefferson County,” Norman said. “She always goes above and beyond to make sure all the children are safe. We’re extremely lucky to have her on our multidisciplinary team.”

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be an Everyday Ohio Hero,” Yasho commented. “Each day I strive to do my job to the best of my ability and ensure the safety of our children in Jefferson County. I feel as though this award is a direct reflection of that and each day moving forward I will do my best to continue to do so.”

Since its creation in 1984, the OCTF has funded primary and secondary prevention strategies conducted at the local level in all 88 Ohio counties, in addition to initiatives and projects of statewide significance, all of which are designed to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect.

Visit www.octf.ohio.gov to find information and resources regarding OCTF’s child abuse and child neglect prevention efforts. Anyone can report suspected child abuse to local law enforcement or contact the Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 855-OH-CHILD.