OhioDCY children services updates 

Based on an annual evaluation, the University Partnership Program (UPP) 2022-2023 Report offers recommendations for future actions to strengthen the UPP design and future outcomes. To address these recommendations, the UPP Coordinator, in collaboration with the Department of Children and Youth (DCY), will continue to identify opportunities for action in the program's strategic plan to ensure coordinated and integrated provision of quality social work education and training.

DCY updates and guidance letters:

• DCY Guidance Letter 24-004 CAPS LMS
• DCY Update- Deployment Communication Traverse Forms
• DCY Update-ITH Marketing and Recruitment Learning Series

2024 OFCA conferences

The 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.

NCTSN fact sheet

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network released a fact sheet that series provides information regarding child sex trafficking for child-serving providers. The fact sheet series defines child sex trafficking, vulnerability to trafficking depending on different factors, its relation to trauma, and what professionals need to know and can do to support youth who have or are experiencing child sex trafficking. Read here. 

RecoveryOhio offers virtual training

RecoveryOhio is sponsoring a free Ohio Child and Family Services Responding to Addiction virtual training on March 22 from 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The training is open to all child and family service workers interested in learning more about addiction and building the skills to respond. Participants will learn the science of addiction, signs and symptoms of addiction, evidence-based treatment options, and how to respond to someone in crisis. Register here by March 11.

OJFSDA Annual Training Conference

Featuring an opening keynote from Matt Selker, the Ohio Job and Family Services Directors' Association (OJFSDA) Annual Training Conference will be held on May 9-10 at the Hyatt Regency Columbus. This Two-day event offers 59 breakout sessions including several that will be county-led on the topics of contract monitoring, the power of social media, maximizing allocations, workforce best practices, and more. Learn more and register here. Early bird registration ends April 12.

Trauma-Informed Care Summit

The 11th Annual TIC Summit is hosted by the Ohio Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMAS), Developmental Disabilities (DODD), Health (ODH), and Youth Services (DYS). This event provides space to reflect, adapt and innovate beyond being trauma informed to providing trauma-responsive and competent care. The summit will be held May 8-9. Registration details to come.

Feb. 27 – Author reframes role of birth mothers in adoption – WOSU

Adoption is usually framed through the lens of the adoptive family, but what about the birth mother, the one who makes the decision to relinquish her baby?

Feb. 26 – Ohio advocates worry federal funding to support women and infants is in danger – Ohio Capital Journal

Congressional conflict is spelling uncertainty for 176,513 women, infants and children enrolled in an Ohio foodbanks program that receives federal funds to help feed pregnant people and children.

Feb. 24 – Allen Co. Children Services looking for people to be Foster Parents – Hometown Stations

Allen County Children Services is looking for people to be foster parents. The agency held a “Fostering the Future” event at Vibe Coffee House, to talk to potential foster parents and answer questions they might have. 

Feb. 24 – Children Services looks to work more closely with families – Star Beacon

Ashtabula County Children Services is joining with seven other counties to elevate family healing through a family by family approach, said Ashtabula County Children Services Executive Director Tania Burnett.