Weekly Update: January 24, 2022
Association News
Boone named director in Knox County
Congratulations to William “Scott” Boone, whom the Knox County Commissioners named director of the Knox County Department of Job & Family Services, effective Jan. 24. Boone has been the interim director since November. He joined the agency as the children services administrator in 2016 before being promoted to assistant director in 2018. He formerly worked for Hamilton County Job and Family Services as a children services case manager, children services supervisor, and administrative section chief before coming to Knox County JFS.

PCSAO districts meet
The Southwest District met virtually on Jan. 19. The SWORTC and WORTC provided training updates; staff from the University Partnership Program (UPP) presented a historical overview of the program, current status, and future plans; and PCSAO trustees and staff provided updates. Counties shared updates related to workforce, COVID, community stakeholder relationships, and FFPSA implementation among others. The Southwest District meets next on March 16. 

The Northwest District meeting on Jan. 20 began with a UPP presentation. PCSAO trustees and staff provided updates. Key topics of discussion included workforce challenges, CANS, and Phase 2 of Family First prevention services. The Northwest District meets next on April 21. 

The East Central District met via Zoom Jan. 21 to hear an update from Tracy Pritchard about UPP and from George Goddard of Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development about the Resource & Referral Hubs. District leaders also heard PCSAO and Regional Training Center updates, discussed regionalized services and CANS experience, and shared county updates. The next meeting is scheduled in person at Coshocton County JFS April 15.
Ohio START
Join our team!
PCSAO is seeking a program coordinator to assist with the implementation of Ohio START and the advancement of best practices within children services. See the job posting here. Sound like a good fit? Apply here.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: The following rules are open for comments until Feb. 5:
  • Rule 5101:2-33-26 - The county child abuse and neglect memorandum of understanding. (DRAFT)

The following rules are open for comments until Feb. 13:
  • Rule 5101:2-47-18 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program reimbursability: Reimbursements related to the difficulty of care needs of a child placed in a foster home, relative home, or pre-finalized adoptive home.
 
The following forms are open for comments until Feb. 5:
 
Clearance: As of Jan. 21, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.
 
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were revised on Jan. 14 with a hearing on Feb. 17:
  • Rule 5101:2-42-19 - Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody.
  • Rule 5101:2-42-19.2 - Requirements for provision of independent living services to young adults who have emancipated.
 
The following rules were final-filed on Jan. 18 with an effective date of Feb. 1:
  • Rule 5101:2-38-01 - Requirements for PCSA case plan for in-home supportive services without court order.
  • 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 5101:2-40-04 - Kinship permanency incentive (KPI) program.
  • Rule 5101:2-48-09 - Application process and preservice training.
Resources and Clips
Resources and Announcements
Capacity Building Center offers human trafficking resources
January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the Capacity Building Center for States has a library of resources available to help agencies identify and support victims of human trafficking. Find more information here.

ODM, Aetna schedule February OhioRISE listening sessions
In February, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and Aetna Better Health of Ohio are offering listening sessions for behavioral health advocates, providers, and older youth and families who will receive services through OhioRISE. Participants will be asked to give their thoughts on what’s working, what isn’t working, and what Aetna Better Health of Ohio (the OhioRISE plan) can do to support youth and families starting in July. The sessions are designed to inform Aetna and ODM on how to best implement the OhioRISE program and support meeting communities’ needs. Find more information here, and register here.

NACo offers human services resources
The National Association of Counties has created a toolkit summarizing COVID relief actions across human services programs. View the toolkit here, or go right to the child welfare section here. NACo is also launching a community of practice for human services leaders. The goal is to bring together county human services agency leaders and appointed and elected officials who are responsible for shaping policies and systems driving public human services programs to network and engage in peer learning and educational activities that promote innovative models and best practices for modernizing county-based human services systems. Learn more about it on a webinar Jan. 28 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register for the webinar here.

Scotts MiracleGro offers Grassroots Grants
Scotts MiracleGro, in conjunction with KidsGardening, is opening its GroMoreGood Grassroots Grants with the goal of reaching 10 million kids with gardening and greenspace programming by 2023. The grants will fund all types of community-driven garden and greenspace projects that directly engage youth, including school and community gardens, urban farms, pollinator gardens, and outdoor playscapes. In 2022, 150 programs will be awarded $500-$1,500 to start or expand their youth garden or greenspace, based on youth engagement, community impact, and sustainability, among other factors. Winners will be announced on March 18, and awards will be distributed in April. Find more information and apply here.
Child Protection in the News
Often in discussing the challenges to Ohio’s Child Protective Services system, lawmakers and other officials will stress that they believe the best place for children to be is with their families.

Sandusky County Department of Job and Family Services announced Sandusky, Seneca and Wyandot counties are welcoming the arrival of the Tiered Treatment Foster Home program. The tri-county program builds on collaborative efforts with the Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky & Wyandot counties.

The Juvenile Drug Court of the Scioto County Juvenile Court has earned final certification from the Ohio Supreme Court’s Commission on Specialized Dockets. In order to receive the certification, the local court had to submit an application, undergo a site visit, and provide specific program materials in response to certification standards that went in to effect in January 2014.
Calendar and Job Postings
Jan. 24 | Southeast District Meeting
Jan. 24 | Legislative Committee Meeting
Jan. 24 | Northeast District Meeting

Note: Some meetings are being 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?