There are ways to help children in need

The death of Benjamin Morris is tragic (“Who failed tiny baby Benjamin” March 6). Our hearts break every time a child is abused and neglected in our community. And when the promise of a child is extinguished by an adult who had been trusted to care for him, the heartbreak is unbearable.

At ProKids, we work every day with the men and women of Hamilton County Job & Family Services (JFS). Our passionate staff members and committed volunteer court-appointed special advocates serve as many children as we can. But we see firsthand how overwhelmed the child protection system is. JFS resources have declined. The numbers of children who need services has increased. As we mobilize our community to advocate for these children, we are at a crossroads.

In 2015, according to JFS, 15,780 children were served by the agency because of claims of abuse and neglect. It is a staggering number. Benjamin was one of those.

What can you do? You can speak up and let our elected county officials know that our children deserve the resources that can keep them safe. You can look out for children in your own neighborhood who may need help. And you can come to ProKids and find out what other community volunteers from all walks of life have discovered about making a difference as an advocate for a child. Sign up for an informational session at www.prokids.org/snapshot.

Thomas Cuni, president, ProKids Board of Trustees