“To work in child welfare is more than a job. It’s a calling,” Director Shannon Tucker told those who gathered at the Blair County Courthouse for the annual recognition ceremony held inside because of weather. “It’s a fundamental belief that you are working for the greater good.”

While Blair County’s CYF office is operating under its fifth provisional license issued by the state over three years, Tucker said she is noticing improvements through the hiring of experienced staff and the use of contracted staff to handle a workload that overwhelmed an understaffed office.

“If I could send a message to the community,” Tucker said, “it would be that we didn’t run. We didn’t hide our faults. We worked through them and we still are.”

Tucker said her office fields about 3,200 to 3,600 calls annually from the community.

Children from the Kids First Child Development Center sing during the Child Abuse Prevention Month ceremony at the Blair County Courthouse on Thursday morning. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Based on data compiled and released in August 2024 by the state Department of Human Services, Blair County in 2023 identified 585 reports of suspected child abuse and substantiated 45, including two near fatalities.

President Judge Wade A. Kagarise and District Attorney Pete Weeks added their praise for those involved in child welfare investigations.

“By what you’re doing to protect children, that’s noble work,” Kagarise said. “And on behalf of myself and the other judges, thank you.”

Weeks offered supportive comments on behalf of his office and law enforcement officers who interact with child welfare workers.

“In Blair County, I think we’re fortunate that we have proactive and conscientious police officers,” Weeks said. “But we also have citizens and community members … who care and step up and do something and say something. For that, I’m appreciative and look forward to a combined effort with the community, going forward, to help root out child abuse and make sure it’s not welcome.”

Blair County Sheriff’s Deputies Julia Zucofski and Caymen Hughes present the Child Abuse Prevention Month flag during a ceremony at the Blair County Courthouse on Thursday morning. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski

Thursday’s ceremony was highlighted by the preschoolers from Kids First Lily Pond Day Care Center, who engaged in motions while singing “Oh, What a Miracle Am I.”

Tucker, who was promoted by county commissioners in late December to become CYF director, said she’s worked 17 years for the county and attended many annual ceremonies like Thursday’s.

While held indoors, sheriff deputies capped off the event outside and raised the symbolic red flag that will fly through the end of the month.

“It always brings an emotional response out of me … to see our flag go up for the child that wasn’t saved,” Tucker said.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.

A Child Abuse Prevention Month sign is displayed in front of the Blair County Courthouse. Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski