Sheriff’s Office Holding Wellness Series On Issues Youth Are Facing

(From Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez)

Dear Hancock County Community,

As your Sheriff, I’m inviting parents, guardians, and all community members to take part in a new initiative focused on the real-life issues our youth are telling us they are facing: The Hancock County Community Wellness Series, “Choices & Challenges.”

The purpose of this community wellness series is to raise awareness, build understanding, and equip families with practical information related to youth safety, youth risk behaviors, and emerging trends that can impact a child’s health and well-being. The topics selected for this series were derived directly from the 2025 OHYES (Ohio Health Youth Environments) Survey results collected from school districts across Hancock County, reflecting what our students are reporting and experiencing. Our hope is that parents and guardians can become more aware of the concerns our children are expressing, and feel more confident navigating these challenges with them. This series will focus on three pressing areas affecting teens today:

 

-Internet Awareness & Sextortion

-Vaping

-Hidden Harms: Gaming, Gambling, and Sports Betting in Teens

 

You will have the opportunity to hear directly from me, along with a subject matter expert on these identified topics. You will also have the ability to ask questions to a panel of special guests who bring knowledge and real-world experience in these areas.

We are bringing this series to multiple locations across the county to make attendance as convenient as possible:

 

Findlay High School- March 21, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Arcadia High School – April 12, 2026 | 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Cory Rawson High School – May 6, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

 

If you’re unable to attend, you will still have the opportunity to watch online anytime on the Sheriff’s Office website, social media page or your school media platforms.

Thank you for your continued support and for taking an active role in the health, safety, and well-being of our children. I look forward to seeing you and working together to strengthen our families and our community.

Respectfully.

Michael A. Cortez

Sheriff