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A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week |
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Weekly Update for November 16, 2020 |
PCSAO holds first virtual new execs orientation
PCSAO held its first virtual New Executives Orientation Nov. 12-13. Attendees heard from PCSAO staff about the association, child protection in Ohio, priority issues and public policy. They heard from fellow directors about hot topics including working with the courts and prosecutor’s office, regional collaboration, hosting a ride-along and maximizing technology. On day two, attendees heard from ODJFS Bureau Chief Alicia Allen about child protection financing and fiscal management, and from Licking County JFS Director John Fisher about maximizing child welfare funding. Later they heard from Kristine Moore and Jenni Watson of ODJFS about managing data and CFSR outcomes, and from Patti-Jo Burtnett of Lorain County Children Services about crisis communications. For access to materials and the training recording, contact Scott Britton.
Ohio START holds second fall consortium meeting
Ohio START hosted the second fall START consortium meeting with approximately 80 people in attendance on Nov. 12. During the meeting, participants heard program updates, attended breakout sessions focused on Ohio START practice, and discussed the evaluation team’s first iteration of baseline outcomes and the newly revamped online database. The next consortium meetings will be in early 2021. For more information, visit Ohio START.
Community planning, service delivery grants available to PCSAs, FCFCs
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), in coordination with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Family and Children First Council (OFCF), released a Request for Grant Application (RFGA number JFSR2021068199) to continue supporting existing and new local community planning and coordinated service delivery efforts including:
- Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) plans of safe care;
- Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) level of care assessments; and
- Community-based aftercare planning for children discharged from residential treatment settings.
The grants are available to public children services agencies and Family and Children First Councils. They will allow communities to assess the local needs, establish best practices, and prepare for any budget considerations for implementation and/or sustainability. If your organization is interested in submitting a response for this important project, visit the State of Ohio Procurement website.
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- Gov. Mike DeWine addressed the state Wednesday evening about the serious increase in COVID cases in Ohio. He called on Ohioans to intensify their efforts to combat the virus, as they did in the spring. He issued a revised mask order that requires businesses to post and enforce mask requirements.
- He also created a new unit in the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation to oversee enforcement of Ohio’s mask requirement, including the ability to close businesses for noncompliance for up to 24 hours.
- Gov. DeWine will also issue new orders placing restrictions on celebrations surrounding weddings, funerals and banquets. Attendees must be seated and masked except when actively eating or drinking.
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Finally, Gov. DeWine will reassess closure of bars, restaurants and gyms this week.
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Pre-Clearance: The following rule is open for comments until Dec. 6:
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Rule 5101:2-9 - Private, non-profit therapeutic wilderness camps.
Clearance: As of Nov. 13, there are no children services-related rules in Clearance.
Filed with JCARR: The following rule was revise-filed on Nov. 12:
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Announcements and Resources
Webinar series on child and family well-being
In conjunction with the Institute for Family and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will offer a three-part webinar series called “The Unlearning of Child Welfare: A National Conversation to Advance Child and Family Well-being” beginning Nov. 18 at 3 p.m. The three parts include:
- Episode 1: “Why Should We Create a Child and Family Well-Being System?" (Nov. 18)
- Episode 2: “What Are People Already Doing to Create a Child and Family Well-Being System?” (Dec. 3)
- Episode 3: “What Will An Equitable Foster Care Experience Look Like Going Forward?” (Dec. 10)
OFC, Bridges, ODM offer training on preparing youth for emancipation Dec. 2
The Office of Families and Children Independent Living/Transition Age Youth team, in conjunction with the Bridges Program, SACWIS and the Ohio Department of Medicaid, will offer a training on final transition training for youth aging out of care on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m.-12 noon. The training will offer information about program requirements and best practices to consider when preparing older youth for emancipation. It is intended for PCSA caseworkers and supervisors, Title IV-E juvenile court and staff, and community providers who serve this population. Register here or contact Shelly Boyd with questions.
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder webinars Jan. 13, Feb. 8
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Child Protection in the News
Following a spike in recent drug overdoses, Hancock Public Health is encouraging the community to get kits of naloxone, the medication that reverses an opioid overdose.
Gary Bright, injury prevention coordinator, said the health department recently learned of seven suspected overdoses within less than two weeks, which he called “unusually high.” All seven individuals were revived with naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, and four of them were transported afterward to the hospital's emergency department.
Trumbull County Children Services will host an adoption event 6 p.m. today at the Skyway Twin Drive-in Theatre, 1825 N. Leavitt Road, in celebration of National Adoption Month to recognize TCCS’s adoptive families and staff. The annual Adoption Day celebration, which traditionally is held at the Trumbull County Courthouse, was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three families who adopted through TCCS came together to share their stories on what adoption means to them in a video tribute.
In celebration of National Adoption Month, Wendy's® is launching two signature promotions to benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption® (DTFA). As a cornerstone cause for the Company, Wendy's is supporting the Foundation's mission by launching its annual Frosty® Key Tag fundraising program and partnering with Coca-Cola® and Dr Pepper® on a drink promotion in the Wendy's mobile app where fans can get something and give something back at the same time.
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Profiles of Hope and Courage
Jackie: 'That is the most rewarding thing, being part of a journey'
Jackie is a caseworker with the Ohio START program in Cuyahoga County. She has been working in child protection for three and a half years. She began her career in criminal justice, as she was trained in mental health and negotiations. She saw a job posting in children services that sought a candidate with a background in criminal justice and she decided to apply.
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.
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Nov. 16 | Legislative Committee Meeting
Dec. 3 | Executive Membership Meeting
Dec. 4 | Board of Trustees Meeting
Note: Meetings will be held via web meeting for the foreseeable future.
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