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A quick rundown of Ohio children services news this week
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Weekly Update for February 27, 2017
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Association Updates
2016 Annual Report: You are their champion.
For PCSAO, 2016 was a year of activity, outcomes and reflection. Fast-paced activity in the line with our member-approved strategic priorities. Positive outcomes with respect to public policy for safe children, stable families, and supportive communities. And solemn reflection on the toll the state opioid's epidemic is taking on children services. Check out our 2016 annual report to learn more about the champions who made our successes last year possible.
Registration opens for New Execs Orientation
PCSAO’s annual orientation for new agency directors, child welfare administrators and select senior staff is coming up Apr. 24-25. Space is limited. To learn more and to register, contact scott@pcsao.org.
Rule Updates
The following rules are currently in clearance. To comment, click here.
- OAC 5101:2-42-19, "Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody" sets forth the requirements for PCSAs and PCPAs to prepare youth for the transition from agency custody to supported independence. This rule is being amended for clarity and to include language that requires caseworkers to request a credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies each year until the child is discharged from substitute care. Comments accepted through 2/27/2017.
- OAC 5101:2-33-55, "Education and in-service training requirements for PCSA caseworkers" has been amended to incorporate language that requires additional training in the area of human trafficking. Minor revisions were also made for clarity. Comments accepted through 3/8/2017.
PCSAO Conference Cover Contest
PCSAO is looking for cover art for our 2017 annual conference. The theme is “Everyday Heroes,” inspired by children services caseworkers and others who dedicate their careers to protecting children and strengthening families. The contest is open to all ages, and encourages participants to use their creativity based on the theme. All entries will be judged on best representation of the theme, effective use of color and creativity. The cover must be original work, but can be generated by computer, drawn or painted by hand, or photographic. The conference cover will be 8.5” x 11”. Any electronic submission less than 300 dpi will not be considered. Submissions must include a short written description of the artwork and brief biographical information about the artist. Entries are due by March 15. Submit your entry to jeed@pcsao.org. View sample covers from the past. The winning design will be featured on the conference cover, and the winner will be recognized in the program and at the conference.
Call for Presenters – 2017 PCSAO Conference “Everyday Heroes”
The 2017 PCSAO Conference will focus on efforts to highlight collective knowledge and best practice in child protection that lead to improving the outcomes and increased well-being for children, youth and families. The conference is an outstanding opportunity for you to make a valuable contribution to the advancement of child protection practices in Ohio. We invite you to submit a proposal to present at the conference. The deadline for submission is May 1. Download Call for Presenters.
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Announcements and Resources
Legislative District Profiles
The Center for Community Solutions has released Legislative District Profiles for each House and Senate district in Ohio. These profiles are full of data related to the health and human services and are a great asset to nonprofits, advocates, and policymakers. Click here for more information.
HavardX is offering a free course on the Opioid Crisis in America
Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin as well as powerful pain relievers, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and many others. Every day in the United States more than 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for not using prescription opioids as directed. In 2015 more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opioids. This course challenges preconceptions about addiction and about who can become addicted to opioids. The main goals for this course is to reduce the stigma that exists around addiction in general, and help people learn about the multiple pathways to treatment. You will learn about these topics from a variety of medical experts and observe stories from a variety of people who have experienced addiction themselves, or who have seen family members overdose. Learn more.
OACCA Conference “Re-Design Your Future”
In December 2017, a new statewide program, "Bridges", will be implemented to support foster youth between the ages of 18 and 21. The program is budgeted to cost $26 million each year. Is your agency prepared to be a provider of this new program? Multiple sessions at the Re-Design Your Future: 20th Annual OACCA Conference on Apr. 26-27 will aim to prepare agencies for this new opportunity. Click here for more information and registration.
23rd Annual Eastern Ohio Leadership Conference
Attention PCSA and JFS directors, managers, and supervisors! The East Central and Southeast Ohio Regional Training Centers, together with the ODJFS Akron Field Office, will be presenting the 23rd Annual Eastern Ohio Leadership Conference, “The POWER of Connection,” March 22-24 at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek. This conference is open to all PCSA and JFS directors, managers, and supervisors from across Ohio and will focus on the current issues and challenges that face the leaders of today. Click here for the Preview Edition of the conference brochure. There is no registration fee to attend this conference. It is suggested that you register no later than March 14. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Darla Zajack at Darla.Zajack@jfs.ohio.gov or by phone at 740-432-2355 ext. 252.
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Child Protection in the News
- Feb. 22 – More foster parents, funding needed to battle heroin epidemic – WCPO
For Fawn and Steve Kippenberg, it took losing their four children to the foster care system to open the couple’s eyes to the addiction they were battling
- Feb. 21 – Heroin epidemic having an impact on foster care system in Ohio – ABC6OnYourSide.com
The fallout from the heroin epidemic in Ohio is hurting more and more children. Attorney General Mike Dewine said it's so bad, the foster care system is being overwhelmed
- Feb. 20 – State custody emergencies triple in county; drug use linked – The Star Beacon
Last year, Juvenile Court Judge Albert Camplese held three times as many emergency hearings in that court than in 2015 — many involving temporary child custody or placement motions on behalf of the county Children Services Board
- Feb. 19 – More grandparents returning to parental role – Toledo Blade
For a multitude of reasons - illness, deployment, death, employment transfers, incarceration, domestic violence, and substance abuse including the current heroin crisis - more grandparents are having to step in and make room in their homes for their grandchildren and to take another turn in a parental role.
- Feb. 17 – Will Ohio protect its children? – Akron Beacon Journal
Advocates for public children services agencies in Ohio are lobbying lawmakers for a substantial boost in funding in the next state budget. They propose a $30 million annual increase to the current yearly allocation of $45 million.
- Feb. 17 – Story Of Economic Devastation Told In New Book By Lancaster Native Is Not Unique In Ohio – The Statehouse News Bureau
The Public Children Services Association of Ohio says 85% of the reason children are removed from their parents' custody in Fairfield County is ...
- Feb. 17 – Boost funding to an Ohio foster care system increasingly burdened by the opioid crisis: editorial – Cleveland.com
Ohio Gov. John Kasich has been in the thick of the battle against deadly opioids, signing a bill this year to tighten restrictions on prescription opioids, speaking at conferences about heroin and even sending an Ohio Highway Patrol superintendent in April to Trumbull County after beleaguered officials there begged for help in quelling a rising tide of opioid overdoses and deaths.
- Feb. 14 – FBI raids Strongsville-based international adoption agency as part of criminal probe – Cleveland.com
The Cleveland FBI raided an international adoption agency based in Strongsville Tuesday as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, a spokeswoman confirmed. The visit by federal agents to European Adoption Consultants came less than two months after the U.S. State Department barred the company from conducting international adoption services for three years.
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Mar. 3 I Board of Trustees Meeting
Mar. 3 I Community Education Committee Meeting
Mar. 9 I Rule Review Committee Meeting
View the full calendar
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“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” - Henry Ford
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Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 |
www.pcsao.org
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