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Jan. 5 – Ohio clinics work to raise awareness of Black moms' mental health – Public News Service
Research shows the number of Black women experiencing postpartum depression could be as high as 44%. Ohio clinics are working on ways to better improve screening and mental-health support for these moms.
Jan. 4 – Dayton man indicted, accused of threatening Montgomery County Children Services caseworkers – Dayton Daily News
A Dayton man indicted Thursday is accused of repeatedly calling Montgomery County Children Services in November and threatening two caseworkers. Christopher Allen Lillard, 52, was issued a summons to appear for his Jan. 18 arraignment in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court for menacing by stalking and three counts of aggravated menacing.
Jan. 3 – Wayne County Juvenile Recovery Court earns state certification – The Daily Record
The Recovery Court of the Wayne County Juvenile and Probate Court earned final certification from the Supreme Court of Ohio
Dec. 29 – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors – CNN
Ohio's Republican governor has vetoed legislation that would have barred transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care, he said Friday. Signing the bill would "be saying that the state, the government" knows what's better for youth than their parents, Gov. Mike DeWine said. State lawmakers passed House Bill 68 just before the holiday break. The legislation would have prohibited gender-affirming care for trans and nonbinary youth, including hormone blockers, hormone replacement therapy, medical or surgical procedures and some mental health services. The bill also sought to prohibit transgender athletes from taking part in female sports. See this video from Gov. DeWine on why he vetoed the bill.
Dec. 29 – Ohio City 'drop-in' center for at-risk youth still on hold amid legal dispute – Cleveland.com
Nearly a year after it was announced, a drop-in center for at-risk youths is still on hold, amid a legal dispute. The Youth Drop-In Center would be housed at a building owned by Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry in Cleveland, and it would provide a place for youth from ages 16-24 to shower, do laundry and access services, as many of them age out of youth-centric services or the foster care system and are at risk of falling into homelessness.
Dec. 28 – Children services awaits change in exec – Tribune Chronicle
The Trumbull County Children Services Board approved a motion on Dec. 19 to begin contract negotiations with Marilyn Pape to become the new executive director upon Tim Schaffner's retirement. The contract is still "in the discussion phase," according to Schaffner.
Dec. 28 – Ohio still has billions in revenue, which could be used on child well-being, advocates say – Ohio Capital Journal
An Ohio child welfare advocacy group says the state's rainy-day fund, plus billions in unused revenue, could go a long way to expand child programs and services. The Children's Defense Fund Ohio released new data profiles showing the status of children in categories such as education, safety, health care, communities and financial issues.
Dec. 28 – 'Growing problem': Portage faces placement crisis for its most vulnerable kids – Record Courier
Portage County JFS director talks placement crisis for its most vulnerable kids.
Dec. 28 – National Partnership for Child Safety provides year-end updates on collaborative efforts – PR Newswire
The National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS), a quality improvement collaborative with a mission to improve child safety and prevent child maltreatment fatalities, provided its year end update on partnership activities related to strengthening families and promoting safety science and innovations in child welfare.
Dec. 24 – Meet Your Neighbor: Young mother completes START substance abuse recovery program – The News-Messenger
Harmon is the first person in Sandusky County to complete the START program, and her success was recognized during a ceremony at the Sandusky County Children Services office on Dec. 15. Amongst the hugs, praise and congratulations was the most important reward of all.
Dec. 24 – Survivor of childhood neglect helps youths survive homelessness, abuse – Toledo Blade
At the age of 14, Fonda Royster was living on the streets of Toledo.
Dec. 24 – Overdose deaths drop in Ohio, but increase in Stark County. Why? – Canton Repository
The number of overdose deaths in Stark County rose 11% last year, while Ohio saw a 5% decrease.
Dec. 21 – Statewide solution needed for child abuse – Toledo Blade
The mandate of Lucas County Children Services is to protect the county’s 96,000 children from abuse and neglect. The Lucas County Children Services Board of Trustees present the Children's Memorial Flag.
Dec. 19 – Morton, SCJFS gain statewide recognition – Portsmouth Daily Times
In July 2022, the Scioto County Commissioners decided to merge SCDJFS with the Scioto County Children Services Board.
Dec. 19 – Ohio has billions in unspent reserves as child well-being measures drop – Public News Service
Math and reading proficiency among Ohio's students have stalled since the pandemic, and more students are qualifying for free or reduced-price school meals because of economic disadvantages at home, according to the latest 2023 Ohio Kids Count Data Profiles. John Stanford, state director of Children's Defense Fund Ohio, the group that publishes the profiles, said it's clear the state's youngest residents haven't bounced back from the COVID-19 public health crisis.
Dec. 16 – As national overdose deaths climbed slightly, unintentional overdoses in Ohio dropped 5% – Akron Beacon Journal
The number of Ohioans who died from unintentional drug overdoses dropped 5% in 2022, according to a report released by the Ohio Department of Health.
Dec. 4 – Ohio’s Dickson talks holiday traditions for foster youth on Imprint podcast – The Imprint
Lisa Dickson of ACTION Ohio and the OHIO Youth Advisory Board spoke on The Imprint’s Weekly Podcast Dec. 4 about the importance of holiday traditions like Ohio’s Thanksgiving Together for foster youth, the right way to incorporate lived experience, the death of Ma’khia Bryant, and more.
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