PCSAO Weekly Update: January 8, 2024

Weekly Update: January 16, 2024

Association News

Board of Trustees meet

The PCSAO Board of Trustees held their first meeting of the year virtually on Jan. 10. The Board approved the Nov. 30 meeting minutes, the November 2023 financial report, a website redesign proposal, the 2024 research brief topic, and several legislative items. PCSAO’s investment firm provided an annual update on the Association’s portfolio. Trustees discussed updates related to the Placement Crisis Working Group, identified agenda topics for the Executive Membership Meeting on Feb. 29-March 1, reviewed updated position descriptions, and heard recommendations from the Rules Committee. The Board will virtually meet next on Feb. 7.

Community Education Committee discusses levies

The Community Education Committee met Jan. 12 to learn about HB 344, which would eliminate the county option to seek replacement levies. Additional discussion focused on PCSAO’s website redesign, the annual conference, and Child Abuse Prevention Month. The next meeting will be Feb. 2 and will feature training on Canva.

Ohio START

DEI workgroup

Ohio START will continue the conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion during the DEI Workgroup meeting on Jan. 18. The workgroup examines opportunities for Ohio START teams to reach diverse families in their communities and ensure equitable access to substance use disorder treatment for all families. During the meeting, we will explore opportunities to focus the workgroup efforts on specific projects to benefit START families and staff.

Save the date: 2024 Ohio START Annual Summit, May 2

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.

Call for presenters

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. 12. Apply here.

Rules Update

Clearance

The following rule is open for comments until Jan. 18:

Rule 5101:9-7-29.1 - Public children services agency (PCSA) local contributions.

Filed with JCARR

The following rules were final-filed on Jan. 8. with an effective date of Jan. 22:

Rule 5101:2-46-01 - Administration of the Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP).
Rule 5101:2-46-12 - Reimbursement of Title IV-E nonrecurring kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) expenses.
Rule 5101:2-56-05 - Reimbursement of nonrecurring state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) expenses.
Rule 5160-59-03.2 - OhioRISE: care coordination.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

JFSHRA Human Resources Bootcamp

The Job and Family Services Human Resources Association(JFSHRA) Board's one-day training on March 7 will provide an opportunity for HR professionals and agency supervisors to return to the basics, including FMLA, ADA and how to address underperforming employees, exchange ideas, and network with peers. The bootcamp will be capped at 160 participants and cost $25 per person to cover the provided lunch. Register here.

OHPELRA Annual Training Conference

The Ohio Public Employer Labor Relations Association's 40^th Annual training conference is Jan. 28-30 at the Hilton-Polaris. Register here.

2024 OFCA conferences

Ohio Family Care Association(OFCA) will hold three conferences across Ohio in 2024. Join OFCA at the Cincinnati Regional Conference for a day of support, training, and advocacy on March 9. Register here.

Eastern Ohio Leadership Conference

Save the date for the 30^th Eastern Ohio Leadership Conference scheduled for March 27-29 in Sugarcreek, Ohio. Brochure coming soon.

Child Protection in the News

Jan. 12 – Foster care youths to get Valentine's Day cards – Mansfield News Journal

A project to help foster youths in Richland County know they are loved is returning. Richland County Children Services and the Mansfield United Lions Club are showing foster youths love with Valentine’s Day cards.

Jan. 11 – Ohio Gov. DeWine reacts after House votes to override his veto on trans healthcare – WLWT5 Cincinnati

Ohio House lawmakers have voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine's veto of House Bill 68, which would ban gender-affirming care for minors and prevent people born male from participating in girls' and women's sports.

Jan. 9 – Software will help take Guardian ad Litem program go mobile, deliver measurable results – Wooster Daily Record

The child welfare system can be an overwhelming and confusing place for children and families who are experiencing trauma or crisis. Often, children find themselves lost in the courts, with no one to look out for them or speak up for their needs. This situation is when National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program volunteers intervene and provide a voice for children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.

Jan. 9 – LGBTQ+ people, including trans youth, are one of the highest risk groups for suicide – Ohio Capitol Journal

If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Jan. 9 – Commissioners pick new JFS director – WJER Radio

After a monthslong search for a new agency director, the county commissioners are awarding the job to Veronica Spidell, who’s best known for once heading up the Leadership Tusc program. Board President Kristen Zemis says they picked Spidell from a large pool of applicants because of her decades of experience in social services.

Jan. 8 – New Ohio law requires parental consent for minor social media use – Dayton Daily News

On Jan. 15, a new law is scheduled to take effect in Ohio that will compel sites like X, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Twitch and potentially many other online platforms to ask for a parent’s permission before establishing an account for minors under the age of 16.

Calendar and Job Postings