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A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week
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Weekly Update for June 15, 2020
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Updates from Gov. DeWine
Gov. Mike DeWine and his administration made the following announcements this week:
- Gov. DeWine announced that Dr. Amy Acton is stepping down as director of the Ohio Department of Health. She will be taking on a role as the governor’s chief health advisor where it is expected that she will play an active role in public health initiatives while continuing to lead the fight against COVID-19.
- The governor also announced anyone wanting a COVID-19 test can get one. Temporary testing sites will be available all over the state, including in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Portsmouth, Dayton, Xenia, Columbiana, Akron, and other locations.
- Gov. DeWine released the latest basic reproduction number or R0 (pronounced “R naught”) for eight regions of Ohio. The R0 represents the number of people, on average, that a person will spread a disease to. Without interventions, the R0 for COVID-19 is estimated at 2.5. With Ohio's interventions, the R0 was slightly lower than 1.0 on June 1. Ohio is beginning to see a slight increase in some areas, particularly the Dayton region.
- Gov. DeWine directed Ohio's Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board to begin developing uniform minimum standards related to mass protests. Members of the collaborative will examine best practices for interaction between law enforcement and crowds that fail to disperse; when tactics involving tear gas, pepper spray, and non-lethal projectiles are necessary; when these tactics should be considered excessive; and how to better protect members of the media from injury.
- Ohio’s Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was formed in 2015 to create uniform minimum standards for Ohio’s law enforcement agencies covering use of force, including deadly force, and hiring and recruitment.
- Gov. DeWine also announced that he will create a new Ohio Office of Law Enforcement Recruitment within Ohio's Office of Criminal Justice Services to encourage minorities and women to join the ranks of Ohio’s enforcement officers, especially in urban communities.
- As of last week, Ohio has distributed over 30 million pieces of PPE. Of the 30 million total PPE pieces, 27.8 million pieces have been shipped to county EMAs for local distribution.
- The Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation “Protecting Ohio's Workforce - We've Got You Covered" program has also sent over 1.5 million face coverings to employers to support and enhance any workforce safety and health efforts that businesses already have in place.
- Ohio is currently looking at long-term solutions to PPE supply chain issues plaguing the country. This includes longer-term contracts for ventilators and N95 masks.
- GOJO, an Akron-based manufacturer of hand sanitizer, and part of the Ohio Manufacturing Alliance, has been working with JobsOhio and announced that it is expanding in Navarre and Maple Heights to meet the demand for their products that are helping fight COVID-19. The projects are expected to create 200 new jobs.
- Lt. Gov. Jon Husted announced that ODJFS received an $8.5 million federal grant that will assist in helping reemploy Ohioans who lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The governor announced new guidance for places of worship as they begin to hold more in-person services.
PCSAO continues to follow the COVID-19 situation closely and interact with state officials and community partners to ensure that county agencies are well represented and receive clear information. For the latest information from the state, visit the
coronavirus.ohio.gov
page.
Transformation Advisory Council examines kinship
The Governor’s Children Services Transformation Advisory Council met virtually June 8 to focus on gaps and recommendations for improving kinship in Ohio. The council has delayed its final recommendations until the fall due to the pandemic. Members divided into several small groups to discuss supports and services for kin caregivers. Future meetings will focus on foster care and the judicial system. Robin Reese (Lucas County Children Services) and Nicole Caldwell (Guernsey County Children Services) represent PCSAs on the council, and PCSAO staff serve as subject matter experts.
OCWTP shares online training accomplishments
The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program State Steering Committee met June 10. The Institute for Human Services, which maintains the contract as training manager, and the eight regional training centers reported on the extensive work that has been done to move in-person training online during the pandemic. The group then had a visioning session for the next fiscal year. The committee also discussed race, equity, and diversity competency within the training system. The next meeting is Aug. 12.
Permanency roundtables move forward despite pandemic
The Youth-Centered Permanency Roundtables Advisory Council met June 12. Evaluation data for participating counties were shared, demonstrating that virtual PRTs have been taking place although engagement with youth is more challenging. Outreach to a new round of participating counties is in process in spite of the pandemic, with a goal of 10 new counties by summer 2021. New promotional and training materials, along with an updated website (
https://ohioprt.org/
), will be available soon.
Ohio START holds virtual consortium meetings
Ohio START wrapped up virtual consortium meetings this week, with over 160 participants in attendance. The meetings were held on June 5 and 12 via Zoom, and featured program updates and a presentation from members of The Ohio State University evaluation team. If any Ohio START team members were unable to attend a virtual consortium meeting and are interested in viewing a recording of the event, contact
sarah@pcsao.org
.
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Nominate youth, families for awards
Thousands of children and youth served by Ohio's child protection system have done wonderful things with their lives. Many have broken generational abuse cycles to become supportive, nurturing parents. Others have gone on to jobs or college, and some have even become foster parents. Many have contributed to their communities in meaningful ways. Do you know young people who fit that description?
Nominate them for our Rising Up and Moving On Award.
PCSAO wants to recognize families who stand out within the children services system, including
birth families who have stayed together or been reunified, as well as kinship, foster, or adoptive families who opened their homes. Do you know families whose accomplishments and hard work deserve recognition?
Nominate them for Family of the Year
.
Each year, PCSAO also recognizes the achievement of professionals who serve Ohio’s public children services agencies. Do you know a child protection caseworker, support staff, or supervisor whose accomplishments and hard work deserve recognition?
Nominate a staff member here
.
Nominations must be submitted by June 30.
Save the date!
We are planning to move our conference to a virtual format for two days, Sept. 16-17. Mark your calendar and look for more details this summer!
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Pre-Clearance: As of June 12, there are no children services-related rules in pre-clearance.
Clearance: The following rule under five-year review is open for comments until June 15:
- Rule 5101:2-33-02 - PCSA requirement to participate in child protection oversight and evaluation (CPOE). This version reflects feedback gathered through ODJFS’ recent Microburst on Rule Review and Program Hearing (MORRPH) process and from the PCSAO Rules Committee.
The following rules are open for comments until June 26:
- Rule 5101:2-47-10 - Reimbursement for Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) costs for a foster home.
- Rule 5101:2-47-11 - Reimbursement for Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance (FCM) Costs for Children's Residential Centers (CRC), Group Homes, Maternity Homes, Residential Parenting Facilities, Private Foster Homes, and a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Residential Facility.
- Rule 5101:2-47-11.1 - Reimbursement for Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) costs for Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) certified after Oct. 1.
- Rule 5101:2-47-16 - Title IV-E Foster care maintenance (FCM) program: Reimbursable placement settings.
- Rule 5101:2-47-26 - Title IV-E agencies, private child placing agencies (PCPA), private noncustodial agencies (PNA), residential care facilities, substance use disorder (SUD) residential facilities: penalties for failure to comply with fiscal accountability procedures.
- Rule 5101:2-26.1 - Public Children Services Agencies (PCSA), Private Child Placing Agencies (PCPA), Private Noncustodial Agencies (PNA), Residential Care Facilities, Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Residential Facilities: Title IV-E Cost Report Filing Requirements, Record Retention Requirements and Related Party Disclosure Requirements.
- Rule 5101:2-47-26.2 - Cost Report Agreed Upon Procedures Engagement.
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were final-filed on June 5:
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Announcements and Resources
Summit County CASA creates webinar on emerging issues in practice
The CASA Board Volunteer Association of Summit County created a free webinar, “Emerging Issues in Child Advocacy Practice,” through a generous grant from the American Bar Endowment and the Ohio State Bar Association. This free online webinar examines human trafficking, immigration and domestic violence and offers up to 12 hours of training under Rule 48 of the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio. Rule 48 sets standards regarding the appointment, responsibilities, training and report requirements of guardians ad litem and the responsibilities of appointing courts.
Click here for more information.
Registration open for virtual child welfare expo Sept. 24
The Capacity Building Center for States and the HHS Children’s Bureau are offering a “Virtual Child Welfare Expo” on Sept. 24. The expo is for anyone involved in children services. The goal is to explore strategies that that build a prevention-focused child welfare system and support implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act. Space is limited.
Register here
.
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Child Protection in the News
Painesville City firefighter Paul and wife Peggy Algier have recently been recognized as the Lake County Foster Parents of the Year by the Lake County Department of Jobs and Family Services.
Calls to child abuse and neglect hotlines have plunged since the coronavirus pandemic began, and while that trend should be cause for celebration it has children’s services officials deeply worried.
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Profiles of Hope and Courage: Children Services in the Era of COVID-19
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Beth: COVID can't stop adoption!
Beth is an adoption caseworker with Mahoning County Children Services. She has 18 years’ experience in child protection, including her current experience as well as experience with families working toward reunification. She has been determined to ensure that adoptions are still happening and that they are special.
PCSAO is collecting stories from the front lines of child protection to raise awareness of the challenges our children services professionals, and the families they serve, are facing during this pandemic. Despite all the changes in their daily lives, they remain hopeful and courageous.
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June 15 | Legislative Committee Meeting
June 25 | Executive Membership Meeting
Note: Meetings will be held via web meeting or teleconference for the foreseeable future.
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Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 |
www.pcsao.org
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