Weekly Update: July 19, 2021
Association News
Northwest District meets virtually
The PCSAO Northwest District met virtually on July 15. Staff from the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provided a presentation on the Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. The recently-passed state budget includes new funding to expand this program statewide. The group discussed PCSAO updates (including state budget, rules, legislative outreach, prevention services, and QRTP) as well as sharing insights, questions and ideas. The district next meets on Oct. 21.  

East Central District meets
The East Central District met in person July 16 at Coshocton County JFS. Members heard a presentation from Wendy’s Wonderful Kids as well as updates from ODJFS about Qualified Residential Treatment Programs, including news that Avondale in Muskingum County has become the first certified QRTP. PCSAO and ECORTC also shared updates, in addition to counties sharing updates with each other. The committee’s next meeting is Oct. 15. 

JFSHRA examines work-from-home policies
The Job and Family Services Human Resources Association met July 13, with Brad Bennett of Bricker & Eckler graciously offering advice on issues related to remote work. The association's monthly meetings have been essential to agencies' ability to navigate during the pandemic. The next meeting is Aug. 10.

Ohio Reach coalition meets
Members of the Ohio Reach coalition met July 14 to share partner updates. The AmeriCorps program is preparing for its second year, and the scholarship application for former foster youth remains open until the end of July. Learn more.

Treatment foster care workgroup meets
A group of counties exploring enhanced treatment foster care options met July 14 to hear updates from ODJFS about the CANS qualified assessors, announce a new partnership with a private provider, NYAP, in northwest Ohio, and needs for further expansion.

Metros discuss post-pandemic practice
Directors from metro counties met July 15 to share practices started during the pandemic that they plan to continue, including virtual training for resource families and staff, virtual options for Family Team Meetings, and virtual visitation when appropriate. The next meeting is Aug. 19.
Ohio START
Come work with us!
Ohio START is seeking a regional manager to assist with management and implementation of our program, focused on the development and oversight of technical assistance in a specified region of the state. Read more and apply here.
PCSAO Annual Conference
Become a conference sponsor!
PCSAO is planning its 36th annual conference, "Facing the Future Together: Our World, Our Commitment," for Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the DoubleTree Worthington.
The conference is an opportunity to reach more than 500 children services professionals across the state. The audience includes child protection caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, attorneys, directors, students and advocates. As a sponsor, you will benefit from face-to-face networking, organization logo included in conference material, on-site sponsorship recognition and publicity on PCSAO’s website. Exhibitor tables may be limited in number depending on health measures in effect at the time of the conference. Become a sponsor here. If you have questions, contact Cassandra Freeland.

Thanks to our World Champion Sponsors
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: As of July 16, there are no children services-related rules in Pre-Clearance.
 
Clearance: The following rule is open for comments until July 19:
 
Filed with JCARR: The following rule was revise-filed on July 7 with a hearing on July 28:

The following rule was original-filed on July 9 with a hearing on Aug. 11:
  • Rule 5101:2-38-05.1 – PCSA requirements for completing a family case plan and review when a child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program (QRTP).

The following rule was final-filed on July 12 with a hearing on July 22:

The following rule was original-filed on July 13:

The following rules were original-filed on July 15 with a hearing on Aug. 18:
  • Rule 5101:2-5-02 – Application for an agency to perform specific functions; amended applications.
  • Rule 5101:2-5-03 – Certification of an agency to perform specific functions.
  • Rule 5101:2-5-04 – Recertification of an agency to perform specific functions.
  • Rule 5101:2-5-13 – Required agency policies, plans and procedures.
  • Rule 5101:2-9-42 – Qualified residential treatment program (QRTP).
  • Rule 5101:2-42-12 – Assessment to determine child's placement into a qualified residential treatment program.
Resources and Clips
Resources
Trauma-informed leadership series
The Northwest Ohio Trauma-Informed Care Collaborative, in partnership with OhioMHAS, will host a three-part trauma-informed leadership webinar series in July. Each session will run from 9:30-11 a.m. Sessions will be led by Sarah Buffie from Soul Bird Consulting and Amy Chavez from ReStoryative Somatics. Click the links below to register.

ODJFS forum on children services
Save the date! The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services will hold an online forum on the future of children services on Aug. 19 from 9-10:30 a.m. Attendees will hear from state leaders and the ODJFS leadership team on:
  • Why racial equity, accountability, and best practices are critical and fundamental to our ability to deliver the high-performance outcomes Ohioans expect.
  • Specific steps ODJFS is taking now to implement the blueprint for transforming children services to build a stronger foundation of support for our work going forward, and what you can expect next.
  • What the ODJFS blueprint for transforming children services will mean for your organization and your job. And, more critically, how it will help assure the children in our care have full and equal opportunity to grow and prosper … if we fully commit to being agents of change.
Look for more information on registration soon.

Award-winning documentary on foster care available to stream
From Place to Place is an award-winning documentary about the foster care system told through the experiences of two young adults, Mandy and Raif, who aged out and used their voices to change the system. You can watch it through the Institute for Family here.

Ohio Reach Scholarships
Ohio Reach is accepting applications until the end of the month for its $1,000 scholarship for students who have spent time in foster care. Read more about the requirements and access the application here.
Child Protection in the News
The toll of fatal drug overdoses last year hit Ohio even worse than initially thought, new figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed.
 
Overdose deaths in Franklin County increased by nearly 50% in 2020. Over the past three years, the rate has jumped by close to 84%.
 
The Ohio Supreme Court is accepting public comment until Aug. 26 on amendments that would add “Child Welfare Law” to the fields of law subject to specialization designation in Ohio. The amendments would define Child Welfare Law as the practice of law representing children, parents, or the government in all child protection proceedings.
 
In a recent report from personal finance website WalletHub analyzing underprivileged children in the United States, Ohio placed 34th in the nation for its relatively high level of underprivileged children.
 
In Alex Butcher’s line of work, things rarely stop or slow down. There will always be kids and teenagers in need of adoption, but those who make it possible are often overlooked in those feel-good stories.
 
A decade after joining a national effort to reform the juvenile justice system, Franklin County has seen the number of youths arrested and detained for delinquency offenses plummet. While celebrating those numbers, court officials remain frustrated by the lack of improvement in one critical area: Black youths continue to be charged and detained at a far higher rate than their white peers.
 
July 12 – More Money to Make Ends Meet for Ohio Families – Public News Service
Many Ohio families will soon get extra cash to keep up with the cost of raising their kids. The 2021 Child Tax Credit expansion passed as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
Calendar and Job Postings
July 19 | Legislative Committee Meeting
July 26 | Southeast District Meeting
July 26 | Northeast District Meeting

Note: Some meetings will be held via web and others in-person.
View the full calendar for details.
Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself?