PCSAO Weekly Update: February 12, 2024

Weekly Update: February 12, 2024

Association News

Board of Trustees meet

The PCSAO Board of Trustees met Feb. 7 and approved Jan. 2024 monthly minutes and Dec. 2023 financial report. The Board also approved the PCSAO Conference Committee’s recommendation for this year’s theme. The Board discussed the anticipated plans for the Huntington Bank’s building redevelopment sale, placement crisis updates, the capital budget, the Feb. 29-March 1 Executive Membership Meeting agenda, Juvenile Justice Working Group, and other updates from PCSAO staff. ODCY Director Wente, Jaff Van Deusen, Kristina Hagberg, and Karen McGormley discussed the new federal kinship licensing rules with Trustees. The Board is scheduled to meet next March 6.

Ohio START

Ohio START facilitates training on SUD

Ohio START facilitated a workshop during Ohio Head Start Association’s Quarterly Meeting. Attendees learned about substance use disorder, how stigma creates barriers to recovery, and how Ohio START engages with families to improve outcomes. Erin Mills and Jessica Okolish (Summit County Family Peer Mentors) highlighted the value of lived experience in engaging parents and developing recovery supports.

Save the date: 2024 Ohio START Annual Summit

The 2024 Ohio START Summit will take place May 2 at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center near Columbus. This event brings together caseworkers, supervisors, behavioral health providers, and family peer mentors for a day of networking and learning how best to serve Ohio's families struggling with co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use disorder. Registration is anticipated to open in March. Please contact anne@pcsao.org with any questions.

Presenter application closing soon!

Ohio START is seeking proposals for unique and energizing workshops targeted towards child protection, peer support, and substance use treatment professionals for the 2024 Ohio START Summit. Workshops that are 1-1.5 hours in length and can be offered for CEUs are preferred. Local presenters and panel discussions will be given special consideration. The deadline to apply is Feb. 20. Apply here.

Ohio START Award nominations

Nominations are open for the 2024 Ohio START Awards! Awards will be presented May 2 at the Ohio START Summit to agency staff and partners for their outstanding service to Ohio families. Nominations for the Ohio START Caseworker, Supervisor, Family Peer Mentor, and Partner of the Year are due March 4. Learn more and complete the nomination here.

Rules Update

Clearance

As of Feb. 9, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.

Filed with JCARR

The following rules were refiled on Feb. 8:

Rule 5101:2-5-09 - Personnel and prohibited convictions for employment.
Rule 5101:2-5-09.1 - Criminal records check required for certain prospective employees and certified foster caregivers.
Rule 5101:2-7-02 - General requirements for foster caregivers and applicants.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

ODCY children services updates

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY) is interested in understanding the community's experience with post permanency services and supports. Take a few minutes to complete this Post Permanency Service Needs Survey and share the link with colleagues, agencies, as well as kinship, foster, and adoptive families. For any survey-related inquiries, please reach out to Veronica Burroughs at veronica.burroughs@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.

DCY updates and guidance letters:

OCA Annual Spring Conference

Ohio Children's Alliance (OCA) is holding their 48th Annual Spring Conference April 15-16 at COSI in Columbus. Featuring keynote speakers Dr. Bruce Perry and Becky Haas, this event offers more than 20 workshops and the opportunity to earn CEUs. Registration is open through April 3.

2024 Northwest Youth Leadership Retreat

The Ohio Youth Advisory Board (OHIO YAB) and ACTION Ohio are partnering with The Ohana Project, Lucas County Children Services, Allen County Children Services and the Bridges Northwest Regional Coordinator to plan and facilitate a Northwest Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat for current and former foster youth (ages 14-24). Registration is free but required. See the flyer to learn more and register here.

Child Protection in the News

Feb. 5 – New Ohio children's services model aims to promote family healing – Public News Service

A first-of-its-kind social work model aims to provide struggling Ohio families with personalized attention and resources. Mike Kenney - director of strategic initiatives with the Public Children Services Association of Ohio - said the goal is to ensure families dealing with substance use disorders, neglect, domestic violence and other issues have the opportunity to heal and keep their children safe.

Feb. 5 – With opioid deaths soaring, Biden administration will widen access to methadone – WOSU Columbus

As drug deaths surged above 112,000 a year in the U.S., driven by the spread of the synthetic opioid fentanyl, addiction experts have pointed to a troubling paradox. Proven medications, including methadone, have been shown to save lives, cutting the risk of relapses and fatal overdoses by nearly 60%. Yet they are rarely prescribed.

Feb. 5 – Saving grace: Readily available naloxone buys time for those addicted to opiates – Toledo Blade

Naloxone, also known as Narcan, may not be needed at every street corner, but how about every city bus stop?

Calendar and Job Postings