Weekly Update: January 19, 2021
Association News
RFP: PCSAO seeks vendor for workforce research
PCSAO has issued a Request for Proposals for a research project that aims to address the children services workforce crisis. The RFP, Building a 21st Century Children Services Workforce, seeks proposals that will offer proven solutions for addressing the challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified caseworkers. Proposals are due Feb. 12. Read more.

JFS HRA updates constitution
The Job and Family Services Human Resources Association met virtually Jan. 12 for its first business meeting of the year. The group recognized officers, updated its constitution, agreed to partner with PCSAO on its workforce research project, and hosted a question-and-answer with an employment attorney. The association next meets on Feb. 2.

OCWTP meets
The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program State Steering Committee met virtually Jan. 13 to hear updates on HB 8 and foster caregiver training, explore recommendations related to diversity and equity, and consider training implications for Family First prevention services. The steering committee meets next on Feb. 10.

East Central District meets
PCSAO’s East Central District met virtually Jan. 15, hearing from Roger Ward of ODJFS regarding Family Team Meeting and other family engagement strategies and from Sharla O’Keeffe of Northwoods regarding Traverse enhancements. District members also discussed prevention services and heard about the Family First pilot from Licking and Knox county leaders. Microsoft Teams will be explored for future district communications. The district next meets April 16.

OhioRISE Advisory Council kicks off
The Ohio Department of Medicaid launched the OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) Advisory Council on Jan. 11. The council includes three PCSA leaders: Jeff Felton, Belmont JFS; Robin Reese, Lucas CSB; and Elisha Cangelosi, Franklin CSB. A full list of council members is available here. The purpose of the advisory council is to obtain critical feedback and expert advice from stakeholders on OhioRISE services and operations. The first meeting included a brief overview of OhioRISE, and members introduced themselves and shared experiences that connect with the purpose of OhioRISE. Workgroups focused on services and care coordination responsibilities will be created. The first workgroup is focused on the Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS) and will meet on Jan. 19. Future meeting dates for the advisory council and workgroups will be posted here along with meeting materials. Meetings are open to the public. 
Ohio START
Ohio START winter consortium meetings
Ohio START will hold winter consortium meetings on Feb. 4 and Feb. 10 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. The meetings will focus on providing program updates to current Ohio START participants. Ohio START staff from all cohorts and regions are encouraged to attend one of the two scheduled meetings. To register, visit the Ohio START upcoming trainings page.
State and Federal Updates
State updates

  • The Ohio Department of Health has launched a tool on coronavirus.ohio.gov to assist citizens looking for a provider that has been allotted vaccines. The tool will be searchable by zip code or county, but it will not be updated in real-time. It is critical that those eligible to receive a vaccine consult local sources to determine up-to-date vaccine availability. 
  • Week of Jan. 18: Vaccine providers will begin receiving their first allotment of vaccines for those ages 80 and older. Vaccines will be delivered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Each provider will begin administering vaccines the day after they receive their shipment. All vaccines must be distributed within seven days.
  • Week of Jan. 25: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 75 and up following the same process outlined above. Vaccinations will also be available to those with severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorders. Additional information on how these individuals can choose to receive their vaccines will be shared this week.
  • Week of Feb. 1: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 70 and up and K-12 school employees following the same process outlined above.
  • Week of Feb. 8: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 65 and up following the same process outlined above.
  • The Coronavirus Vaccine FAQ remains a good place to find information. 

Federal updates
President-elect Joe Biden announced a $1.9 trillion plan to respond to the coronavirus epidemic on Jan. 14. While no legislation has been drafted, the National Association of County Human Services Administrators (NACHSA) has prepared a brief summary. The U.S. House will consider the proposal later this month or in early February. It is expected to adopt most of the plan's provisions. The plan's future and timing are uncertain in the U.S. Senate, and action on it will be complicated by the impeachment trial and confirmation of Biden appointees. 

Milner steps down from Children's Bureau role
Associate Commissioner of the Administration for Children and Families Children’s Bureau Jerry Milner left his post effective Jan. 15. PCSAO is grateful to him for his charismatic manner and the time he spent in the field working for children and families. Milner had this to say about his service:
I have been humbled to serve in this position and for the opportunity to help shape a new course for child welfare in our country. My joy in this role has been in working alongside so many of you, and particularly with our youth and parents with lived expertise. I have gained wisdom and understanding from so many of you. 

I am thankful for your graciousness, support, and generosity in sharing your expertise and shaping my thinking. I am grateful to our Children’s Bureau staff for enabling me to spend the bulk of my time in the field supporting the things I believe in the most, personally and professionally – equity, justice, fairness, family, prevention, community, voices of lived expertise, and well-being, and I am grateful to them for that. And, I am grateful to all of you for allowing me in and providing such a constant source of support and encouragement.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: The following rules are open for comments until Feb. 10:
  • Rule 5101:2-47-09 - Case record requirements for Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM).
  • Rule 5101:2-47-12 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM): Initial determination of program eligibility and reimbursability.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-13 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM): Legal responsibility requirements.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-14 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM): ADC-relatedness.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-15 - Foster care maintenance program reimbursability: authorization for foster care maintenance and auxiliary payment reimbursement.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-16 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program: Reimbursable placement settings.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-19 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program reimbursability: payments, reimbursements, graduation expenses and personal incidentals.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-20 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program: Supplemental reimbursements for the cost of care for the child of a Title IV-E recipient parent.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-23 - Beginning date of reimbursability for the Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM).
 
The following rules are open for comment until Feb. 11:
  • Rule 5101:2-38-01 - Requirements for PCSA case plan for in-home supportive services without court order.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-04 - PCPA requirements for completing the semiannual administrative review.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-05 - PCSA case plan for children in custody or under protective supervision.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-07 - PCPA case plan for children in custody or under court-ordered protective supervision.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-09 - PCSA requirements for completing the case review.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-10 - PCSA requirements for completing the semiannual administrative review.
  • Rule 5101:2-39-01 - Removal of a child from the child’s own home.
 
Clearance: The following rule is open for comment until Jan 22:
  • Rule 5101:2-42-19 - Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody.
 
The following rules are open for comment until Jan. 24 (note that some of the changes are in response to the new Kinship Support Program):
 
The following rules are open for comment until Jan. 25 (note that some of the proposed changes are in response to the new Kinship Support Program):
 
The following rules are open for comment until Jan. 29:
  • Rule 5101:2-45-01 - Administration of the Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program.
  • Rule 5101:2-45-02 - Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program eligibility.
  • Rule 5101:2-45-03 - Reimbursement for Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program.
  • Rule 5101:2-45-04 - Traditional Candidate for Title IV-E foster care.
 
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were final-filed on Jan. 8 with an effective date of Feb. 1:

The following rule was refiled on Jan. 12:

The following rules were final-filed on Jan. 13 with an effective date of Feb. 1:
Resources and Clips
Resources
Children’s Trust Fund Everyday Ohio Heroes contest
In recognition of adults or organizations throughout Ohio who are “Everyday Heroes,” the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund (OCTF) established the Everyday Ohio Hero Awards to honor individuals who dedicate their time, efforts or lives to preventing child abuse and child neglect. An Everyday Ohio Hero is an individual or group who has made a significant impact on child abuse and child neglect prevention through their everyday acts. The Everyday Ohio Hero Awards will recognize outstanding adults, youth and community volunteer groups, or corporate groups in each of the eight child abuse and neglect prevention regions in Ohio. Submit nominations here by Feb. 12.

Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative offers human trafficking resources
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. The Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative has put together the following resources to help your agency support survivors of sex trafficking and minors at risk of sexual exploitation:

View a longer list of resources here.

Trauma-informed care summit proposals due Feb. 15
The Ohio Departments of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) and Department of Developmental Disabilities are accepting proposals for the Eighth Annual Trauma-Informed Care Summit scheduled for May 18-19. The summit’s purpose is to move systems beyond trauma informed to trauma competent, with specific focus on “Trauma-Informed Care in a Pandemic.” Proposals are due by the close of business Feb. 15 and may be submitted here.
Child Protection in the News
The Greater Toledo Community Foundation will provide two grants totaling $32,000 to assist the Court Appointed Special Advocates in Lucas County with that group’s representation of abused and neglected children.

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and advocates in Ohio say COVID-19 has made awareness more important than ever. Amy LaGesse, project coordinator for FOCUS on Runaways, and a board member of Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, has worked for years in the Toledo area on the issue, and said the pandemic has not necessarily increased incidents, but better disguised them more as people spend more time at home. In Ohio, youths who are homeless or who run away from home are most at risk for sex trafficking, followed by those who use drugs or alcohol.

Because of the opioid epidemic, more and more grandparents are raising their grandchildren. Uncles and aunts are too, as well as friends or parents of the child's friends. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine recently approved kinship funding to help people who have taken on the role of parents.

Attorney General Dave Yost said Monday that his Scientific Committee on Opioid Prevention and Education (SCOPE) found the highest opioid overdose death rate in Ohio occurred in the second quarter of 2020.

While some child welfare systems have pivoted to a remote reality, advocates say it hasn’t been uniform or quick enough for the country’s 400,000 foster kids.

According to the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, about half of all children in the state's foster care system today are there because of parental drug use. And the problem keeps getting worse. The Crane family, with a lead gift from Mike and Paige Crane, and Crane Group Co. have recognized the strain on Ohio's foster care system with a $1 million investment in the future of The Buckeye Ranch Foster Care program over the next five years.
Calendar and Job Postings
Jan. 20 |Southwest District Meeting
Jan. 21 | Northwest District Meeting
Jan. 25 | Legislative Committee Meeting
Jan. 25 | Southeast District Meeting
Jan. 25 | Northeast District Meeting

Note: Meetings will be held via web meeting for the foreseeable future.
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