Weekly Update: November 22, 2021
Association News
Agencies reflect on implicit bias training
PCSAO's 2021 Race, Equity and Inclusion Learning Series formally concluded Nov. 16 with a reflection session on October's implicit bias training. After four trainings and four reflection sessions that began in April, PCSAO is working with the Center for the Study of Social Policy on a plan for 2022. We are grateful to Casey Family Programs for supporting the opportunity to become more informed about these critical issues and begin to address racial disproportionality in the children services system.

Tiered foster care workgroup meets
ODJFS led a summary meeting to finalize child characteristics for stakeholders Nov. 18, pulling together recommendations from two different breakout groups that met earlier in the month. The group will next focus on caregiver characteristics. The workgroup is developing new standards around foster care training, supports, rates and level of care, to be implemented next fall.

Metro directors report staffing, placement shortages
At a monthly meeting Nov. 18, leaders from metro children services agencies discussed workforce and placement challenges. While the struggle to find qualified applicants to fill open caseworker positions is not new, it has been exacerbated by the so-called "Great Resignation." The majority of vacancies are in the assessment/investigation units. Similar challenges in the provider sector are creating a bottleneck for placements. The group next meets Dec. 16.

Legislative Committee meets
The PCSAO Legislative Committee met on Nov. 15 to review pending legislation and receive PCSAO updates. The committee’s last meeting of the year is Dec. 20.

UPP develops strategic plan
The University Partnership Program met Nov. 19 for strategic planning. Campus coordinators are examining how they can expand the benefit to additional PCSAs, increase and diversify the student population, and improve data management.

PCSAO says farewell to Bhumika Patel
Bhumika Patel will be leaving PCSAO and her position as Ohio START Coordinator; her last day in the office will be Nov. 30. She is moving on to take a role at the Human Service Chamber of Franklin County. We appreciate all of Bhumika’s hard work for PCSAO since 2018, both as the Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator and as the Ohio START Coordinator. We wish her the best of luck on her new adventure.

Boone named interim director of Knox County JFS
Scott Boone was named interim director of Knox County JFS following the resignation of Matt Kurtz. Danielle Swendal will serve as the child welfare lead for Knox County. Congratulations to both, and thanks to Matt Kurtz for the leadership he has consistently provided to PCSAO, and his service to families and children.
Ohio passes federal review
The Children’s Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notified ODJFS this week that the goals contained in Ohio’s Federal Child and Family Services Review were achieved. This is an important accomplishment! Kudos to Allen, Athens, Clermont, Fairfield, Franklin, Greene, Guernsey, Logan, Lorain, Lucas, Muskingum, Shelby, Summit, Trumbull, and Wood counties, which participated in lengthy case reviews. With leadership and support from ODJFS, agencies were able to select and implement an array of services including Ohio Accelerated Safety Analysis Protocol Project; Case-Specific Consultation; Family Group Decision Making; Family Team Meetings; Motivational Interviewing; Ohio START; QIC-WD Coach Ohio; Youth Centered Permanency Roundtables; 30 Days to Family (now Kinnect to Family); and targeted efforts at reducing court delays, such as training court personnel on bench cards and intensive review.
Ohio START
Ohio START opens applications for Cohort 5
Ohio START is now accepting applications for Cohort 5. PCSAO plans to add more counties in 2022. The application can be found here. Applications are due Jan. 14, and counties will be notified of acceptance by Jan. 25. PCSAO will hold informational webinars that cover implementation and the application process, as well as provide time for questions. Interested counties only need to attend one.

Register here for Dec. 1 from 12-1:30 p.m.
Register here for Dec. 7 from 12-1:30 p.m.

Join the Ohio START team!
Ohio START and PCSAO are seeking a part-time regional technical assistance consultant to assist with the implementation and sustainability of the Ohio START model in Northeastern Ohio. The consultant will be responsible for providing technical assistance including adhering to model fidelity and enhancing collaboration among community partners. Read more and apply here.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: The following rules are open for comments until Nov. 28:
 
Clearance: As of Nov. 19, there are no children services-related rules in Clearance.
 
Filed with JCARR: The following rule was final-filed on Nov. 16 with an effective date of Dec. 12:
Resources and Clips
Resources and Announcements
CANS form available; training scheduled for Nov. 29
The Praed Foundation created a Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment fillable form to use in the interim before the CANS data system is operational. This form will help those who are performing CANS assessments with the decision support model and ease the administrative burden. The Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence and Praed Foundation are providing training on the use of the CANS fillable form on Nov. 29, 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. Register here. A recording of the training will be available on the Ohio RISE and ODJFS websites following the meeting.

Ohio Academy of Pediatrics launches Store It Safe campaign
At its annual meeting this fall, the Ohio Academy of Pediatrics (Ohio AAP) launched the Store It Safe campaign. Store It Safe began more than five years ago as a unique partnership of healthcare providers, firearm safety experts, and community organizations established to keep children safe from unintentional firearm deaths and teens safe from suicide by firearms. Ohio AAP has a variety of resources available to help prevent youth suicide including literature and a social media kit. Find more information here.
Kinnect offers YCPRT Virtual Symposium
Kinnect is offering a virtual symposium Nov. 30 from 1-4 p.m. on Youth-Centered Permanency Roundtables. Join them for a professional gathering that includes keynote speakers, permanency resources, family engagement support, and tips for working with families.

ODJFS releases guidance, schedules webinar on bills of rights
ODFJS released a Policy Practice and Guidance Document on the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and Resource Family Bill of Rights. It will hold a webinar on the rules developed to implement them on Nov. 30 from 1-2:30 p.m. Register for the webinar here. The join link for the webinar is here. Find ODJFS publications here.
Child Protection in the News
A local organization is asking for more bilingual families to volunteer as foster parents.

The Knox County Commissioners have appointed William “Scott” Boone as interim director of the Knox County Department of Job & Family Services.

Nov. 17 - U.S. Overdose Deaths Hit New High - Cincinnati Enquirer
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that more than 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses during the 12-month period ending April 2021. Put another way: An American is dying from an overdose every five minutes.
Calendar and Job Postings
Dec. 2-3 | Executive Membership 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? 

The Weekly Update will take a break after the holiday and will return Dec. 6