Board of Trustees meets

The PCSAO Board of Trustees met May 1 and approved monthly minutes and financial statements, including an update that all 85 county PCSAs have paid dues once again this year, which continues to be greatly appreciated. Trustees discussed the ongoing placement/treatment crisis, received a hard copy of the 2023 annual report, and finalized the agenda for the June 20-21 Executive Membership meeting. The board discussed and approved several policy approaches, including kinship licensing, education requirements, and needed recruitment and retention workforce strategies. Staff provided operations and strategic plan updates. The board honored Deanna Nichols-Stika, executive director of Wayne County Children Services, as she is leaving the agency at the end of the month and will no longer serve as a trustee. Jed McCoy, director of Coshocton County JFS, has been elected to replace Nichols-Stika beginning June 1. The board will meet next virtually on June 5. 

Community Education Committee meets

PCSAO’s Community Education Committee gathered for its first in-person meeting of the year. Heather Buchanan of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office provided training on the Public Records Act and responding to records requests. (A recording of this training will be available to member agencies.) Megan Modene of the Ohio Children’s Alliance provided an update on the It Takes 100% Heart caregiver recruitment campaign. Members reported out on the success of Wear Blue and Child Abuse Prevention Month activities, as well as plans for Foster Care Month. Discussion and county updates wrapped up the meeting. The committee meets next virtually on June 7.

OCWTP holds first virtual trainer conference

The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program hosted the annual trainer conference April 29, drawing more than a hundred participants to the online event. University of Cincinnati’s Stacie Furst Holloway, PhD, delivered a keynote address on managing change. Awards from 2023 (which had been put on hold when the conference was posponed the prior year) were presented to outstanding trainers: Warne Edwards received the Linda Pope Award, and Lauri Wolfe received the Rising Star Award. Awards for 2024 were also presented: Michelle Rivas received the Rising Star Award, and Johanna Pearce received the Linda Pope Award. Workshops focused on managing difficult conversations in the classroom, flattening the “forgetting curve,” and more.

Ohio START

6th Annual Ohio START Summit inspires workers

Ohio START hosted the 6th Annual Ohio START Summit May 2 at a new venue with more than 200 START team members in attendance. Stefanie Robinson from Hope Recovery Community kicked off the day with an inspiring keynote address, followed by a panel of START fathers, several breakout sessions and awards recognizing outstanding Ohio START staff and partners throughout the state.

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.

Last chance! Apply to be a conference presenter

The deadline to submit a workshop proposal for the annual conference was extended to May 6. Unique workshops that can be offered for CEU and CLE credits will be prioritized. Special consideration will also be given to workshops presented by staff of Ohio’s public children services agencies and workshops that have a DEI lens. Complete the presenter application here. The final day to apply is May 6.