OCTF April Child Abuse Prevention Month webinars

This April for National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Ohio Children's Trust Fund (OCTF) is hosting four prevention-focused webinars. Each webinar will offer insight into child abuse prevention work happening across the state and the impact these programs are having on families. Learn more and register here. See the webinar dates below:

• April 4 at 11 a.m. – “Triple P Fear-Less: A Parent Educator’s Toolbox to Support Families Parenting an Anxious Child or Teen,” presented by Susan McDonald, Knox County HeadStart
• April 11 at 11 a.m. – “Portage County Prevention and Beyond,” presented by Leanne Biltz, Children’s Advocacy Center of Portage County
• April 18 at 11 a.m. – “Guernsey Cares: Coordinating Access to Resources, Education, and Services,” presented by Lori Robson, East Central Ohio Educational Service Center
• April 25 at 11 a.m. – “The Map Forward Project: Neuroscience for Hopeful Futures,” presented by Tammy Baumgartel, Albany Counseling Services

Ohio Children’s Trust Fund grant

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF) released their request for grant applications and will award funding to qualified family serving entities that provide direct services and supports to families throughout Ohio. Details regarding the release can be found here. Applications must be submitted via grants.ohio.gov by April 29.

Strengths and Stressors Assessment Tool webinar

The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect is hosting a webinar April 4 titled "Strengths and Stressors Assessment Tool - An ecological approach to assessing and working with at-risk families." Presented by a professor and researcher at the OSU College of Social Work, this webinar will introduce an ecological approach to measure needs (stressors) and identify strengths among at-risk families. Learn more and register here.

Federal updates from National Association of County Human Services Administrators

As of March 22, the House and Senate approved the remaining six FY 2024 appropriations bills, including the Labor-HHS spending measure. Most Health and Human Services (HHS) programs are level funded, but some have minor increases or cuts. One notable exception is the Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) which was increased nine percent over FY 2023 to $8.75 billion. Click here for details on the six bills. The Biden administration’s budget for HHS contains spending and policy proposals rejected in past years. Read the HHS Budget in Brief and supporting documents here. 

March 27 – Toledo transitional house helps youth live independently –

WTOL

A transitional house in Toledo is doing what it can to redirect youth in foster care or the juvenile justice system toward independent living. Leaders with Gateway Youth Development say the program has had more than 50 young people take advantage of those transitional programs.

March 27 – Child abuse prevention event set for Warren City Hall – Tribune Chronicle

Trumbull County Children Services will host its annual Pinwheels for Prevention Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. on April 3 at City Hall. The agency issued a press release Tuesday with information about the upcoming event, which will take place during Child Abuse Prevention Month, as a recognition of correcting child abuse within the community.

March 26 – Lucas County Children Services hosts first poverty simulation in the region – WTVG

A first-of-its-kind training is coming to the Toledo area. Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) is hoping to bridge the gap regarding what we know about poverty. LCCS hosted a “poverty simulation” for its social workers, focusing on how to work with struggling families.

March 25 – Suspensions, expulsions on rise in Ohio schools, report finds – Public News Service

Ohio's Black students are more likely to face excessively harsh discipline practices such as expulsion and suspension, according to a recently released report from the Children's Defense Fund of Ohio. The data show out-of-school suspensions and expulsions rose in every grade level from kindergarten through twelfth grade in the 2022-23 school year, compared with the previous academic year.

March 25 – 270,000 overdose deaths thrust fentanyl into heart of US presidential race – Lima News

To understand the 2024 U.S. presidential election, it is essential to understand the politics of fentanyl.

March 23 – Human trafficking summit highlights how Medicaid managed care can help survivors – Dayton Daily News

The conditions that may make someone susceptible to human trafficking can be influenced by social determinants of health–such as housing or poverty–which can place Medicaid managed care plans in a position to provide resources to vulnerable populations to overcome those barriers, CareSource leaders say.

March 24 – Explainer: What is a mandated reporter? – Richland Source

Some people are mandated reporters — meaning they are required by law to report knowledge or reasonable suspicion of abuse. The same people are also required to report known or suspected abuse of individuals with developmental disabilities who are under 21.

March 22 – Local groups demand justice for child victims of sexual assault – WTOL

Lucas County Children Services says don't hesitate to call if you're concerned about a child's well-being.

March 23 – Downtown Mansfield goes blue for Child Abuse Prevention Month – Mansfield News Journal

"Doing Things Differently: Moving from the Challenge of the Change" is the theme this year for Richland County Children Services.