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A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week
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Weekly Update for May 6, 2019
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Association Updates
Speaker Householder proposes more investments in children services
Speaker Householder, who represents Perry, Coshocton and part of Licking counties, is standing up for all Ohio children who experience trauma, spend birthdays away from home in foster care and grow up with reduced prospects for employment and stability. The Speaker has matched the Governor’s original investment in direct county funding, thereby doubling the state’s total current allocation for county children services in the House version of Ohio’s budget. PCSAO Executive Director Angela Sausser provided proponent testimony to the Ohio House Finance Committee on May 3, sharing deep gratitude to Speaker Householder, members of the committee, and Governor DeWine for these significant investments that will have lasting impact on Ohio’s children, families, and public children services agencies. Read PCSAI's full response
here.
Board of Trustees meets
The PCSAO Board of Trustees met May 1 and approved the previous month’s minutes and March 2019 financial report. The board reviewed
PCSAO’s 2018 Annual Report
, and discussed agenda topics for the June Executive Membership meeting, a quality incentive proposal, state biennium budget, Tiered Treatment Foster Care Project, kinship caregiver assistance program, Ohio Reach, and Ohio START. The board also received legislative and rule updates. The board will meet next on June 5.
Ohio Legislative Children’s Caucus holds inaugural meeting
Sen. Peggy Lehner and Rep. Allison Russo hosted the Ohio Legislative Children’s Caucus’ inaugural meeting April 30. Sen. Lehner and Rep. Russo will serve as co-chairs of this new caucus, a bipartisan effort to prioritize Ohio’s kids by focusing public policy and state funding to support proven strategies and identify innovative solutions. Legislators whovattended the meeting learned that the Children’s Caucus will focus on improving the effectiveness and reach of policy designed to positively impact children from birth to age 18. Gov. Mike DeWine made remarks and highlighted important children’s issues that are being considered during the budget, including children services. All legislators are invited to serve on this caucus, and those interested are asked to identify specific children’s issues of interest. The Ohio’s Children’s Caucus will meet on a quarterly basis.
Fairfield County Commission recognizes PCSAO
At its annual State of the County luncheon April 30, Fairfield County Administrator Carri Brown and county commissioners recognized PCSAO with a certificate of appreciation for excellence in research and informed management. PCSAO was honored to join representatives from the Governor’s Office and Aunie Cordle, director of Fairfield County Job and Family Services, in accepting Dr. Brown’s kind remarks about high-quality social services.
Community Education Committee trains on videography skills
At the May 3 meeting of the Community Education Committee, Stephen Flannery of Cuyahoga County DCFS provided training on Adobe Spark and Premiere to help committee members learn and improve their videography skills. Following the training, discussion included Wear Blue, Foster Care Month, upcoming levies, and more. The June 7 meeting will be the annual “levy boot camp.”
Brown leading legislation to invest in Ohio children
On May 1, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a news conference call as he introduced the
Family First Transition and Support Act
, which would increase investment and support for child welfare as Ohio counties struggle to make sure children are cared for, especially in light of the addiction crisis. Brown’s bill builds on legislation passed by Congress last year that transforms the way government funds child welfare services. Brown was joined on the call by Jeffery Felton, director of Medina County Job and Family Services, and Melodye James, a family caregiver and kinship navigator for Richland County. Brown’s
Family First Transition and Support Act
would create a new kinship placement program fund to expand funding for kinship support services, invest in child welfare caseworker training and development, enhance the child welfare Court Improvement Program, and provide new resources to help recruit and retain foster parents. Read more about the bill
here
.
Helping Ohio Parent Effectively (HOPE) update
The Parent Peer Credentialing Committee’s work continues, and a new website should be up and running soon. This will provide another opportunity for HOPE parent partners to become a credentialed parent supporter. On the local front, Fairfield is preparing to have its first Succeed meetings in the month of May. HOPE has partnered with the local juvenile court there to have Succeed meetings accepted as a support meeting for Family Drug Court participants. One meeting will be located at the courthouse between both drug court sessions for ease of participants to attend on May 8. The second meeting will be held at the local JFS building May 23.
Rules update
The PCSAO Rules Review Committee met in person on May 2. ODJFS staff and members discussed various rules in pre-clearance and that have been filed with JCARR. The group also discussed ways to strengthen PCSA input into the rule review and development process. The Rules Committee next meets on June 6.
Rules in Pre-Clearance: Click
here
to review and comment on the following rules currently in pre-clearance:
- Through May 18: Chapter 5101:2-38 Case Planning and Reviews
- Through May 30: Chapter 5101:2-5 Child Services Agency Licensing Rules; Chapter 5101:2-7 Foster Care; Chapter 5101:2-48 Adoption
Rules in Clearance: As of May 3, no children services-related rules were in Clearance.
Rules that have been filed with JCARR:
The following rule was final-filed on April 29 and will be effective May 9:
- 5101:9-9-26: Safeguarding federal tax information (FTI) using background investigations
The following rules were final-filed on April 30 and will be effective June 1:
- 5101:2-1-01: Children services definitions of terms
- 5101:2-40-02: Supportive services for prevention of placement, reunification and life skill
The following rules were original-filed on April 17; a public hearing is scheduled for May 21:
- 5101:2-33-55: Education and in-service training requirements for PCSA caseworkers
- 5101:2-33-56: Education and in-service training requirements for PCSA supervisors
- 5101:2-49-05: Determination of the adoption assistance monthly payment amount
- 5101:2-49-17: Case record requirements for adoption assistance
- 5101:2-49-21: Reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses for a child with special needs
- 5101:2-52-04: PCSA responsibilities for the interstate compact on the placement of children
- 5101:2-52-06:Responsibilities applicable to interstate placement of children when a PCPA, PNA or court is the sending or receiving agency
- 5101:2-52-08: Interstate placement requirements for Ohio parents, legal guardians, or private entities when placing a child into another state or territory for adoption
- 5101:2-52-10: Interstate placement requirements for Ohio courts, parents, or legal guardians when placing a child in a residential placement in another state or territory
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Announcements and Resources
Human trafficking webinar
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR) training
The Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation (OSPF) in collaboration with MHRS Board of Seneca, Sandusky, and Wyandot Counties, the Seneca, Sandusky, and Wyandot County Suicide Prevention Coalition, and Heidelberg University invite you to this one-day workshop:
Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR): Core Competencies for Behavioral Health Professionals
. The workshop is designed to train behavioral health professionals (and other relevant professionals) in how to recognize and assess suicide risk, plan for client safety, and manage the ongoing care of at-risk youth and young adults ages 10-24. The workshop will take place May 30 from 8:30 a.m-5 p.m at Heidelberg University. Participants at the workshop will receive 6.5 CEUs; learn more and
register here
.
Child Welfare League of America releases LGBTQ publication
CWLA Press is pleased to announce the publication of the third edition of
LGBTQ Youth Issues: A Practical Guide for Youth Workers Serving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, & Questioning Youth
. This publication brings relevant research and clinical practice into focus for youth-serving professionals and provides a combination of practice tips, proven research, and case narratives. It is a helpful guide for workers who want to address the needs of youth who may be confronting challenges in their families, at school, in out-of-home care, or in the wider community. This is a must-have book for all youth-serving professionals.
HHS releases Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise 2016 final rule on AFCARS
On April 19, HHS formally published in the
Federal Register
the
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
(84 FR 16572) on proposed changes to the
2016 Final Rule
for the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), the federal data collection system designed to collect uniform and reliable information across the states on the experiences and characteristics of children in foster care and children adopted with public agency involvement. The comment period closes on June 18 and may be submitted at
Regulations.gov.
Early Detection to Stop Infant Abuse and Prevent Fatalities Act introduced
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation on the issue of injuries indicative of potential abuse, the
Early Detection to Stop Infant Abuse and Prevent Fatalities Act
. This standalone bill would create a demonstration opportunity as part of CAPTA to support approaches to improving identification of and response to injuries indicative of potential abuse in infants. A good example of this approach is Ohio’s Timely Recognition of Abusive Injuries (TRAIN) Collaborative. For background, here is the
original announcement
from then-AG DeWine on the effort, and a
recent announcement
of the start of phase three of the successful project. AAP’s Ohio chapter has information about the project
here
as well. The full text of the bill can be viewed
here
.
Teacher appreciation reception
The National Veterans Memorial and Museum recognizes the dedication of K-12 educators who touch the lives of countless students and their families through their passion for shaping young lives and commitment to making the world a better place. Join the National Veterans Memorial and Museum as they honor the educators who make our community a great place to live! The event will take place May 8
from 5– 7 p.m. at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 West Broad Street, Columbus. Admission is free and additional information and RSVP details are available at 614-427-1126 or
teachers@nationalvmm.org
Hey, I'm Here
OhioM
HAS has been working with a vendor to create a social marketing campaign under the brand “Hey, I’m Here,” targeted to transition-age youth with behavioral health disorders. The social pages for “Hey, I’m Here” are now live and promoting Mental Health Awareness Month. Find the campaign now
on
Facebook
and
Instagram
,
as well as Snapchat at a later date.
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Child Protection in the News
Speaker Larry Householder is making history with a bold proposal to double Ohio’s current county allocation for children services — standing up for children across the state who experience trauma, spend birthdays away from home in foster care and grow up with reduced prospects for employment and stability.
The Ohio House version of the new two-year state budget has proposed doubling the $30 million Gov. Mike DeWine asked for to take care of foster children in Ohio.
A bipartisan bill making its way through the Ohio House of Representatives is trying to change a tax credit from a non-refundable state to being refundable. The legislation switches the current adoption tax credit from being a non-refundable $10,000 that can be accessed over five years, to a one-time refundable credit of up to $10,000.
Montgomery County leaders are sounding the alarm on a disturbing trend ... And let me be clear, bedsharing is never safe," said Jewell Good, director of Montgomery County Children's Services.
Scott Britton with the Public Children's Services Association of Ohio uses two words to describe his feelings about the increase in the House budget.
As National Child Abuse Prevention Month wrapped up Tuesday, those with Marion County Children Services say the number of cases
handled by their agency continues to increase each year.
Efforts to better care for babies born exposed to opioids are apparently making headway. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports results of the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative included fewer infants needing treatment drugs, and those who did needing a shorter treatment period.
"We are seeing a lot more infants coming into foster care," said Jennifer Ball, a 14-year veteran caseworker with the agency. Baby C was born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome and Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia - both common in infants born to opioid-addicted mothers.
As a way of saying thank you for their work and dedication, the Exchange Club of Mount Vernon and Knox County hosted a breakfast on Friday for the staff of the children services unit of Job and Family Services.
More than 70 people from local organizations participated in a Human Trafficking seminar on April 24, hosted by Scioto County Children Services in partnership with the South Central Ohio Educational Service Center, in New Boston
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May 10 | Conference Planning Committee Meeting
May 14 | Ohio START Steering Committee Meeting
May 15 | Southwest District Meeting
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"Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. "
-George Halas
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Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 |
www.pcsao.org
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