Public Children Services Association of Ohio names Danita Harris its Journalist of the Year

CLEVELAND - NewsChannel5's Danita Harris has been named Journalist of the Year by the Public Children Services Association of Ohio for her help in creating public value for, and improving the understanding and awareness of, child protection.

The award ceremony took place at the Doubletree Hotel in Columbus. Harris is humbled to receive recognition for something she's very passionate about.

Harris earned he nod for her series of stories on child welfare and highlighting the positive work of the Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services.

The stories being recognized by PCSAO covered older youth and adoption, the Teen Advocacy Group Youth Council, the transition of the new director of the division, and a profile on the East End Neighborhood House, part of 15 Neighborhood Collaboratives in Cuyahoga County serving families.

"Danita Harris has opened the possibility for residents of Cuyahoga County to see child protection as an opportunity to come together as a community in order to help one another," said Pat Rideout, director of Cuyahoga County Division of Children and Family Services. "Her positive portrayal of the division will help our staff, our mission, and our children."

PCSAO serves Ohio's 88 county public children services agencies through the support of program excellence and sound public policy for safe children, stable families and supportive communities.