A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week

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Weekly Update for August 14, 2017

Association Updates Opioid safety policy workgroup meets A group of directors and HR professionals met via conference call on Aug. 7 to begin collecting policies, recommendations, and other information on the topic of caseworker safety in the era of opioids. Considerations included agency and caseworker use of Narcan, safety in the field, and more. Check the Caseworker Safety page on PCSAO’s website for updates. To join the workgroup, contact scott@pcsao.org.  OCWTP examines training compliance, kin training At its monthly meeting, the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program State Steering Committee discussed trends in kinship caregiver placements and the need to include kin in more learning opportunities. Committee members also discussed developing a report in E-Track that could help managers and supervisors determine if staff are meeting initial and ongoing training requirements. An update on substance abuse training resources and activities included reports on 21st Century CURES Act funding, Ohio START, and the Ohio Substance Abuse Training Gateway. The committee meets again Sept. 13.  Ohio START Steering Committee meets The Ohio START Steering Committee met Aug. 10 at PCSAO. Discussion focused on evaluation of the program, training of team members, planning for upcoming meetings with partners and continued support for PCSAs as they look to build their local START program. The Steering Committee will meet next on Sept. 14. 2017 PCSAO Conference: Early registration ends this week! The conference promises three days packed full of informative and energizing workshops and dynamic speakers. Our dedicated conference staff have worked hard to line up daily keynote speakers who will cover topics that will resonate with each of the everyday heroes in the audience. Just a friendly reminder to take advantage of early registration rates, register by Aug. 16!  Learn more about the conference and register online.

Announcements and Resources PCSA executive transition: Columbiana County Columbiana County JFS Director Eileen Dray-Bardon named a new child welfare administrator, Shanon Willlaman.  Former CW administrator Rachel Ketterman has been promoted to deputy director at the agency. Please join us in congratulating both Shannon and Rachel.  NASW Ohio awards nomination NASW Ohio is accepting nominations for various awards categories. Show your appreciation for social workers making a difference in Ohio! It’s easy to do: just complete a short form and submit one letter of recommendation. (Please note that the southwestern regional winners have already been selected.) For more information, click here. Nominations are due Sept. 1.

Child Protection in the News August 9 – Couple fosters 13 children left by addicted parents – CNN  When Cyndi and Jesse Swafford were certified to become foster parents 10 years ago, they were told to expect to wait for a baby up to two or three years. August 8 – CBS News shines spotlight on Ohio’s children of addicted parents – WKBN.com  CBS News sent a camera to Ohio to talk with a family raising the children of ... said Jill Wright, executive director, Adams County Children's Services. August 8 – Opioid Crisis Impeding Reunification for Ohio Families (Includes audio) – Public News Service  When a child is removed from their home, the ultimate goal is to get them back with their families. But reunification is becoming increasingly difficult as an influx of kids enter care due to the opioid epidemic.  August 7 – Fairfield County JFS feels opioid impacts, requests additional levy – Lancaster Eagle Gazette Children impacted by the local drug problem are driving up costs for Fairfield County Job & Family Services, causing the agency to ask taxpayers for more funding a year early. August 7 – Here, heroin spares no one, not even the sheriff's wife (Includes video) – CNN  Nearly 15,000 Americans -- 500 from Ohio alone -- died of an opioid overdose in 2005. In 2015, those numbers soared to 33,000 and 2,700 deaths, respectively.  August 7 – Ohio foster care system flooded with children amid opioid epidemic (Includes video) – CBS On a winding trail in southeastern Ohio, four children symbolize the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.  August 3 – Area businesses try to get ahead of Ohio marijuana issue – Springfield News-Sun  Government agencies have begun preparing their policies as well. The Montgomery County commissioners employ 1,767 people in about two dozen agencies.  July 31 – State Ensured That Allegations and Referrals of Abuse and Neglect of Children Eligible for Title IV-E Foster Care Payments Were Recorded and Investigated in Accordance With State Requirements as Required by Federal Law (Press release) – Ohio Office of the Inspector General  Congress, specifically The United States Senate Committee on Finance, outlined concerns about the safety and well-being of foster care children in an April 2015 letter addressed to State governors …

Upcoming Events August 16  |  Southwest District Meeting August 17  |  Northwest District Meeting August 18  |  PRT Advisory Council Meeting View the full calendar

Employment Opportunities Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself? Check out the latest job openings in child protection. We also list University Partnership Program graduates looking for employment.

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