Association Updates
Gov. DeWine names Director of Office of Child Welfare Transformation
On Feb. 19, Gov. Mike DeWine named Kristi Burre as Director of the new Office of Child Welfare Transformation to lead Ohio’s child protection and foster care reform efforts. Burre has served as the Deputy Director of Protective Services at Fairfield County Job & Family Services. She has worked in the field of child protection for almost 20 years in the capacities of caseworker, supervisor, administrator, trainer, and director. Additionally, she is a trainer for the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program and the Safe & Together Institute. The Director of the Office of Child Welfare Transformation will report directly to ODJFS Director Kimberly Hall, and will lead a nimble policy team focused on improving services to some of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens, children impacted by abuse and neglect, and children in foster and kinship care. PCSAO congratulates Burre on this incredible appointment and looks forward to working with her in this new role!
FFPSA Leadership Committee meets
The ODJFS FFPSA Leadership Committee met on Feb. 21 and was introduced to several key leaders, including Kimberly Hall, ODJFS DIrector; Shancie Jenkins, ODJFS Chief of Staff; and Chelsea Cordonnier, Governor's Office of Children's Initiatives. The Leadership Team approved its vision, mission, and philosophy; the Prevention Services Subcommittee's charge; and the Communication Workgroup's charge. ODJFS provided an overview on the Family First Model Licensing Standards. The Leadership Committee agreed to create a new subcommittee focused on family-based care that would focus on the model licensing standards and the SUD parenting residential opportunity. The Leadership Committee is scheduled to meet next on March 28.
Permanency Roundtables model building capacity
The 10 counties using the permanency roundtables (PRT) model met Feb. 22 to continue work on a strategic plan to improve capacity for agency adoption of the model, ensure model fidelity, and identify sustainability opportunities. With support from PCSAO, ODJFS, FYLaw, Kinnect, Casey Family Programs and OCWTP, the effort is developing a plan to make this evidence-informed model available to more PCSAs looking to find permanency for longstaying youth in foster care.
Learn more
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2019 Fostering Pathways to Success Conference
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Ohio Reach and JOURNEY to Successful Living are partnering this year to bring you another dynamic Fostering Pathways to Success Conference. The conference will be April 3 at the Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High Street, Columbus. The keynote presenter will be LaToya Logan, a former foster youth and founder of Project LIFT Behavioral Health Services, a nonprofit organization that targets the needs of transition-aged males who are court involved and provides them with supportive services to assist them with community re-entry, educational, employment and housing successes.
We are excited to introduce foster youth and young adults to a unique and interactive experience in the afternoon:
Independence City
will offer foster youth and young adults (ages 14 -21) with a fun yet challenging life simulation that will give participants a glimpse into real-life scenarios. This conference is a statewide event for youth in foster care ages 14-18 and young adults formerly in foster care ages 19-21. We also encourage Independent Living coordinators, ongoing case managers, agency administrators, workforce professionals and others working with foster youth to attend. We offer an array of workshops geared toward youth self-sufficiency and independence as they prepare to leave the foster care system. Caseworkers and adult supporters can earn continuing professional education credits while attending instructional and helpful learning sessions.
Rules update
The following rules are in pre-clearance until March 2. They are being reviewed for policy clarification. Review and
comment here.
- Chapter 5101:2-50 Bridges Rules
- Chapter 5101:2-51 Adoption Assistance Connections
As of Feb. 22, no children services-related rules are in clearance.
