Update:
The State Budget is currently under consideration in the Ohio Senate. The Ohio House passed Substitute House Bill 166. Your advocacy is important. We ask you to contact your state senator and communicate the priorities of the Catholic Conference of Ohio. See below for policy backgrounders.
Update on Multi-System Youth
Multi-System Youth are children and youth with complex behavioral, physical and developmental needs that cannot be met by a single government or community agency or siloed system of care. They are involved, or will likely be involved, with one or more of the child protection, behavioral health, developmental disabilities and juvenile justice systems. We are particularly concerned about multi-system children whose specific child or family challenges are so exceptional, complex and costly, that their parents are forced to relinquish custody to the state for the sole purpose of accessing the services their children need.
Loving parents have advocated that relinquishing custody of their child is a break in the family bond. There has to be a better way to access funding for the necessary treatment for their children.
Key Message to Senators:
- As recommended by the House, the budget does not include dedicated, flexible funds to stop the practice of custody relinquishment. Increases in child welfare funding are not sufficient to cover those children currently in custody.
- With a new director, and a commitment to modernize Family and Children First Councils, we have a unique opportunity to create a system of care that serves both children in PCSA custody and those who are in danger of entering custody only because they cannot access services for their child.
- We request an additional $6M for 2020 and $12M for 2021 in the budget to directly address custody relinquishment.
Background on Multi-System Youth
Please take a moment and contact your State Senator.
Contact link below.
