PCSAO Weekly Update: May 20, 2024

Weekly Update: May 20, 2024

Association News

Southwest District meets

The Southwest District met in Lebanon May 15 to hear county, regional training center, and PCSAO updates. Discussion focused on the treatment foster care pilot (Montgomery, Butler and Clermont), group homes, and jurisdictional issues. The next meeting will be Aug. 21.

Metro leaders meet

Directors and senior leaders from metro PCSAs met virtually May 16 to share successes, challenges, and future planning. Discussion included group homes, educational background of caseworker candidates, and marijuana. The district meets next Aug. 15.

Conference Planning Committee meets

The Conference Committee met May 17 to consider workshop proposals and discuss the opening of sponsorships and award nominations. The committee next meets July 19.

Rules Committee meets

The Rules Committee met on May 9. DCY staff presented on adoption assistance rule packages, foster care maintenance, and updates on independent living rules. The committee next meets on June 10.

Ohio START

Ohio START Cohort 7 officially kicks off

This week Ohio START officially welcomed four new PCSAs during the cohort 7 welcome meeting on May 15. The PCSAs will meet again in June for their first of four foundational START trainings.

Rules Update

Clearance

The following set of rules is open for comments until May 20:

State Adoption Maintenance Subsidy (SAMS)

Filed with JCARR

As of May 17, there are no children services-related rules filed with JCARR.

Annual Conference

Save the date: 2024 PCSAO Annual Conference Sept. 9-11

The 2024 PCSAO Annual Conference, taking place Sept. 9-11 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, is an exciting opportunity to share best practices, connect with colleagues, and be inspired to continue this important work. The conference draws more than 500 child protection professionals from around Ohio including caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, clinicians, attorneys, and advocates. In recognition of Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week, this year's theme is "This Is Us: The Child Protection Team." Visit our conference webpage to learn more. Contact anne@pcsao.org with any questions.

Become a sponsor

The 2024 PCSAO Annual Conference is an exciting opportunity to network with more than 500 children services professionals. Learn more and sign up as a conference sponsor on our event website.

Sponsor benefits include:

Face-to-face networking and exhibitor table
Organizational logo included in conference materials
On-site sponsorship recognition
Publicity on PCSAO’s website

Award nominations now open

Each year, PCSAO recognizes and celebrates the achievements of our youth and families who have been served by Ohio’s public children services agencies, as well as the achievements of our child protection professionals who have served them. The 2024 PCSAO award winners will be announced during the conference. Learn more about the awards and complete the nomination here. Nominations are due July 2.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

DCY Tuesday Times

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth shared updates and other pertinent information pertaining to children services and other program areas on May 14. To view this and previous versions of Tuesday Times, click here.

Ohio Medicaid authorizes $10 million to help at-risk youth across Ohio

The Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) has announced a new initiative aimed at supporting at-risk youth across Ohio. In collaboration with the State of Ohio’s Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence at Case Western Reserve University (COE), ODM is dedicating $10 million to create and expand access to Intensive Home-Based Treatment (IHBT) programs. This funding will help extend critical mental health services to 59 counties, resulting in a total of 76 out of Ohio’s 88 counties having access to IHBT programs. A full list of awardees is available here.

Gov. DeWine announces $2 million to launch pilot treatment foster home program

Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente announced more than $2 million in funding to expand a model that is helping more Ohio foster children find a loving home. The Treatment Foster Home Pilot Program will connect foster children facing significant behavioral health challenges with foster families who are equipped to support children with complex needs in their homes. Learn more here.

2024 Leadership and Life Skills Summit

Ohio Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and ACTION Ohio will hold a Leadership and Life Skills Summit for Current and Former Foster Youth on June 11. The Summit will inform and empower Ohio teens and young adults with a foster care history (ages 14-24), including young people who have experienced adoption, kinship care, reunification and congregate care placements. Learn more and register here.

OFCA Columbus Regional Conference

Join Ohio Family Care Association (OFCA) on June 29 for a one-day conference dedicated to the theme of "Strengthening Families: Bridging Gaps in Policies and Practices." Delve into the heart of Ohio’s child welfare system- the policies, practices and families. Register here.

Child Protection in the News

May 16 – Medina County Drug Task Force Director announces significant dip in overdose deaths – Cleveland Plain Dealer

Darren Stout, the director of the Medina County Drug Task Force recently visited council to report on the work the task force has done over the last year in partnership with local law enforcement.

May 16 – Initiative provides love and luggage for youth aging out of foster care – Toledo Blade

When Sarah and Jim Otis adopted 10-yr-old Amanda, she arrived with everything she owned in two black garbage bags.

May 15 – Fundraiser looking to 'break the cycle' for some kids in Trumbull County – WBKN

The Niles Sons of Italy is hosting a fundraiser for children living at Trumbull County Children Services residential center.

May 14 – New mural on East State Street – The Athens News

According to the agency, the mural will represent the Children Services’ history and recognize what the community does for each other, and for children.

May 12 – County Children Services holding foster care fundraiser – Mansfield News Journal

Dine-In or To-Go for RCCS will be May 13 and May 15 from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the restaurant located at 515 N. Lexington-Springmill Road. When you dine at Texas Roadhouse during the event hours, simply put a copy of your receipt in the designated drop box and 10% of your total food purchases will then be donated to Richland County Children Services.

May 11 – County child-abuse referrals decrease – Tribune Chronicle

Trumbull County Children Services Executive Director Marilyn Pape reported that as of March 2024, the agency received 941 calls, an increase from 920 calls by March of the previous year. Although there was a decrease in child abuse and neglect referrals from 1,256 in 2022 to 1,166 in 2023, the number of overall outreach calls made to the agency this year has risen slightly so far.

May 10 – Lorain County Commission honors foster families; proclaim May as Foster Care Month – Morning Journal

Lorain County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution May 10 at their meeting proclaiming May as Foster Care Month and honored two retiring long-time foster families.

Calendar and Job Postings