PCSAO Weekly Update: May 28, 2024

Weekly Update: May 28, 2024

Association News

PACT interview offers lessons In centering community

Angela Cochran, an Ohio START caseworker in Trumbull County, and Mike Kenney of PCSAO recently joined Lotus Yu with the Full Frame Initiative for a conversation about PACT, Ohio’s Shared Practice Model, and the alignment with FFI’s work of centering community and well-being movement. The interview and discussion is available on video and as a blog post.

Legislative Committee meets

The Legislative Committee met May 20 and reviewed HB 512, regarding child emergency placement facilities and treatment solutions, and SB 256, which would modify the state earned income tax credit and increase the minimum wage. The committee next meets on June 17.

Ohio START

Mental Health Awareness Month

This is the last week of Mental Health Awareness Month. It's the perfect time to take a moment to focus on well-being. Taking care of ourselves allows us to better serve families. Here is a great wellness resource.

Rules Update

Clearance

As of May 24, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.

Filed with JCARR

The following rules were final-filed on May 21 with an effective date of June 1:

Rule 5101:2-47-23.1 - Title IV-E agency contracting and contract monitoring
Rule 5101:2-47-24 -Title IV-E agency contract and contract monitoring requirements for placement of children with a parent in a substance use disorder (SUD) residential facility

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.

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.

Supporting kinship caregivers, families

The Ohio Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Prevention and Promotion will host its Prevention Exchange virtual forum on May. 30, 1-2 p.m. The discussion will explore the experiences of kinship caregivers, resources available in Ohio, and the opportunity for Ohio’s prevention workforce to provide inclusive services. Learn more and register here.

Prevention scan brief published

Casey Family Programs and the Center for Health Care Strategies developed a strategy brief on how child protection agencies can collaborate to prevent foster care and support family well-being. Learn more here.

School success conference 2024

Registration is now open for the 2024 School SUCCESS Conference. Join the Ohio School-Based Center of Excellence for Prevention & Early Intervention June 25-26 in Columbus for learning and collaboration. This event will provide participants with practical resources and programming ideas designed to improve the well-being of students and school staff. Learn more and register here.

Child Protection in the News

May 23 – Lawmakers at Ohio Statehouse push for affordable child care – Spectrum News 1

Lawmakers at the Ohio Statehouse continue to prioritize affordable child care statewide. Earlier this week, State Rep. Andrea White introduced a series of bills that would make changes to the state's foster care system and provide tax credits to families who pay for child care. State Sen. Michele Reynolds is sponsoring a bill that would set aside $10 million and give parents the opportunity to get help from both their employer and the state to pay for child care.

May 21 – Supporting local foster children: Negative trends impacting teens in foster system – WLWT5 Cincinnati

Cincinnati city leaders are expected to share how they plan to fight gun violence this summer.

May 20 – Grants awarded to build on area model foster-care program – Toledo Blade

The state of Ohio awarded more than $2 million in grants Friday to 10 regional cooperatives involving 34 counties as part of a pilot program to recruit more foster-care families for children with complex behavioral health challenges.

May 20 – Love and Luggage program helping former foster children aging out of system – WTOL

As young adults are aging out of foster care, Love and Luggage is helping kids transition to living on their own.

May 20 – Woman aims to break the cycle – Tribune Chronicle

Monica Groves, co-owner of Sons of Italy No. 2874, wants to make sure that children living at the Trumbull County Children Services Timothy E. Schaffner Residential Center have the same summer adventures as other area children.

Calendar and Job Postings