Association Updates
PCSAO set to release Factbook
The Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) will release its 14th annual PCSAO Factbook at the end of March. The publication, the only one of its kind, details the current environment of children services in Ohio and each of its counties. In this edition, the data show an increase of children coming into care, creating a compelling story of why we must support greater investments in child welfare.The PCSAO Factbook is intended to be used as a resource for policy makers, agencies, interested parties, and the media alike. PCSAO works with county agencies and ODJFS to gather the most accurate and updated data concerning the state of children services.
The Factbook details the work and priorities of PCSAO, member agencies, and partners, which focus on resolving some of the biggest issues in children services today. Issues including the opioid crisis, an overburdened workforce, inadequate resources, and lack of foster homes have led to the current system crisis. This crisis is explained throughout the narrative, with PCSAO priorities specifically set as solutions to the crisis. Following the Factbook narrative, readers can find state and county profile pages. These pages include the number of reports made, types of reports, demographics, and other case data that help describe and quantify the scope of children services. Furthermore, these pages provide a deeper look into fiscal information and costs that each county agency incurs. For more information, or to check for updates and view the last Factbook,
visit here
.
Ohio START Southern Consortium meets
On March 11 the Ohio START Cohort 1 counties met at the Ross County Service Center for the quarterly southern consortium. Ohio START staff gave counties program updates, and shared its excitement with Governor Mike DeWine's announcement to invest in the START program in the upcoming budget. National partner Children and Family Futures also presented counties with technical assistance and answered questions. Counties will meet next at the first annual Ohio START Summit, planned to take place June 4.
Ohio START Cohort 2 receives implementation training
On March 12-13, counties involved in Cohort 2 of Ohio START received training and technical assistance regarding the final steps and strategies for full implementation of the program. Children and Family Futures presented the training and helped counties work through challenges they may be currently facing. Cohort 2 counties are now starting to serve families, or are due to start very soon.
Citizen Review Panel considers workforce challenges
PCSAO was asked to present March 11 before the Citizen Review Panel based in Franklin County, which is looking at child safety through the lens of the children services workforce. PCSAO shared figures about the total workforce, turnover, and caseloads, along with supports such as the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, University Partnership Program, and National Child Welfare Workforce Institute. Local efforts to reward, incentivize and develop the workforce were also shared. All CRPs will be finalizing their 2019 reports this summer.
OCWTP showcases new outreach efforts
At its monthly meeting March 13, the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program State Steering Committee heard updates, reviewed targeted marketing videos designed to improve the ITNA/IDP process, and learned about casework practice updates for CAPMIS and SACWIS. Partners are busy preparing for the annual trainer conference April 8.
Rules update
Rules in pre-clearance: As of March 15, no rules were in pre-clearance.
Rules in Clearance: Make comments
here.
Substitute Care rules in Chapter 5101:42 are in clearance until March 22 as a result of the five-year review. You can review the proposed changes
here
.
Rules for recording a child fatality or near fatality are in Clearance through March 28. The new rule 5101:2-33-14 entitled "PCSA requirements for recording a child fatality or near fatality" sets forth the requirements of recording a report of a fatality or near fatality of a child in the custody or the care of the PCSA due to child abuse and/or neglect.
- The amended rule 5101:2-42-89 entitled "Private child placing agency procedures when a child in agency custody dies" sets forth the requirements of PCPAs to have written policies and procedures when there is a child fatality or near fatality. The rule has been proposed for amendment to adhere to the five-year rule review and the requirements for PCSAs have been removed from this rule as a new rule is being proposed to address PCSA requirements for recording a child fatality or near fatality.
Rules regarding education and training requirements for caseworkers and supervisors are in Clearance through March 26.
- OAC 5101:2-33-55 entitled “Education and in-service training requirements for PCSA caseworkers” sets forth the training requirements for public children services agency child welfare caseworkers. This rule is being reviewed as a result of the five-year rule review process. The rule is also being updated to include changes to the training requirements for PCSA caseworkers on human trafficking and to comply with the training requirements defined in the Ohio Revised Code regarding training for public agency child welfare caseworkers.
- OAC 5101:2-33-56 entitled “In-service training requirements for PCSA supervisors” sets forth the training requirements for public children services agency supervisors. This rule is being reviewed as a result of the five-year rule review process. The rule is also being updated to include an introductory course in human trafficking for newly hired PCSA supervisors within the first two years of the date of hire (effective with this rule). The rule is also being updated to comply with the training requirements defined in the Ohio Revised Code regarding training for public agency child welfare supervisors.
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were final-filed on March 14 and will be effective on May 1.
- 5101:2-5-13.1: Disaster preparedness plan requirements
- 5101:2-5-27: Termination of a foster home certificate
- 5101:2-5-29: Foster home records
- 5101:2-5-36:Additional requirements for an agency that acts as a representative of ODJFS in: recommending treatment foster homes for certification
- 5101:2-5-37: Additional requirements for an agency that acts as a representative of ODJFS in recommending medically fragile foster homes for certification
- 5101:2-5-40: Preplacement and continuing training programs
- 5101:2-33-80: Retained applicant fingerprint database information exchange (Rapback)
- 5101:2-42-66: Administrative procedures for comprehensive health care for children in placement
- 5101:2-42-66.1: Comprehensive health care for children in placement
- 5101:2-42-66.2: Documentation of comprehensive health care for children in placement
