Association Updates
Rules Committee meets
The PCSAO Rules Committee met Dec. 7. Prior to the full committee meeting, a workgroup made up of PCSA human resources staff and PCSAO Rules Committee members met with ODJFS staff to discuss rule development for the new child welfare background checks that PCSAs are to conduct upon hiring staff, volunteers and interns. Draft rules are expected in early 2018. The full committee’s agenda included discussion of collateral contacts, kinship child care program rules, and rules currently in pre-clearance. The committee next meets on Jan. 11.
Rules Updates
The following rules are in pre-clearance until Jan. 4, up for five-year review. Minor changes are expected—you can review and provide comments at
http://ohiorulereview.org/
- Chapter 5101:2-5 Children Services Agency Licensing Rules
- Chapter 5101:2-7 Foster Care
- Chapter 5101:2-9 Children Services Residential Centers, Group Homes, and Residential Parenting Facilities
Kinship Child Care Program rules: Due to the high volume of comments received during the clearance period, ODJFS did not file the proposed rules on Nov. 30 as originally planned. The next opportunity to file is in early January.
Citizen Review Panel seeks to elevate foster parent recruitment, retention
Three Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are currently operating across the state, focusing on child safety, permanency and well-being as part of a CAPTA-required oversight process. ODJFS contracted with The Ohio State University Department of Social Work to manage the panels. One CRP, based in Athens, is examining foster parent recruitment and retention strategies, and invited PCSAO’s Scott Britton to its Dec. 5 meeting to share information about the Foster Care Advisory Group that is working on similar goals. Members of the Athens CRP want to ensure that their report, due in May, harmonizes, where practical, with the needs of the child protection system and the recommendations from the budget-enacted advisory group. At least two of the CRPs are currently surveying PCSAs to gather information for their reports.
JFS Human Resources Association elects new officers, sets 2018 schedule
The Job and Family Services HRA met for its final meeting of the year Dec. 6. Roundtable discussion included PCSAO’s draft opioid safety policy guidelines. Otis Crockron of Athens County Children Services was elected president for 2018, and Valarie Nash of Summit County Children Services was elected vice president. One goal for 2018 is to seek a repository (online or physical) for association history, documents and policies. The group will meet March 7, June 6, Sept. 12 and Dec. 5 at the Willis Government Building in Delaware County. To join the JFS HRA email list, contact Corresponding Secretary Michael Brown (Michael.L.Brown@jfs.ohio.gov).
