For over 140 years, Summit County Children Services (SCCS) has been a trusted resource for protecting children and strengthening families in Summit County, Ohio. Our mission is to ensure every child can grow up in a safe, stable, and nurturing environment.
A cornerstone of our work is the 24-Hour Child Abuse Hotline — (330) 434-KIDS (5437) — which allows anyone to report suspected child abuse or neglect anonymously. These reports are carefully investigated to assess child safety and risk.
Whenever possible, SCCS works to keep children in their own homes by developing service plans that support and strengthen families. When home is not a safe option, we prioritize placement with relatives or kin — someone with a meaningful relationship to the child. If that’s not possible, licensed foster homes provide a safe and temporary environment while we work toward permanent solutions, with reunification as the first goal.
Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect affect every community in our county. In recent years, the opioid crisis and other substance use challenges have increased the number of children and families in need. Currently, 1 in every 12 children in Summit County is served by SCCS.
SCCS is primarily funded through local levy revenue, made possible by the support of Summit County taxpayers. Additionally, generous community donations help fund special needs, activities, and meaningful experiences for the children in our care.
Summit County Children Services (SCCS) has a rich history of dedicated service dating back to 1881 when Republican Congressman William Upson galvanized over 200 citizens to establish a home for wayward children. Initially operating out of temporary quarters, the agency moved in 1887 to a permanent site at the Cordelia Jewett Farm, laying the foundation for what would become a trusted institution in child welfare.
Over the decades, SCCS evolved alongside the community’s needs. In the early 1900s, a new brick facility was constructed to address growing demands, and by the 1920s the institution had earned a reputation as one of the area’s most responsible public institutions. The agency underwent several name changes—from the Summit County Orphanage to the Summit County Children’s Home, then the Summit County Child Welfare Board, and ultimately, in the 1970s, to Summit County Children Services.
Responding to changing federal and state laws and a growing child population, the agency expanded its programs and services throughout the mid-20th century. Innovations such as the establishment of a formal Social Services Department, the development of preventive programs like the Mentoring Mothers Program, and initiatives in independent living have helped shape SCCS into a modern, community-focused organization.
Today, Summit County Children Services remains committed to serving abused and neglected children, upholding a legacy of care, advocacy, and innovation. Our mission is to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of all children served, in partnership with families and the community.
