Weekly Update: June 21, 2022 |
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OFCA conference a success
The Ohio Family Care Association hosted its annual conference June 17-18. "This Is US: The Role We Each Play in the Future of Ohio's Families" featured an overview of Ohio Gap Closers' yearlong research on race and equity in child protective services, a keynote from Denise Goodman, and a workshop from PCSAO covering the workforce shortage and placement crisis as well as strategic modernization solutions.
JFS HRA examines diversity, equity
The Job and Family Services Human Resources Association met June 14 and welcomed Mahoning County’s first DE&I Officer, Nancy Walker-McCain. McCain discussed various types of diversity, “keeping it REAL” as HR staff, actively listening and the importance of engaging senior leadership’s commitment. The next meeting will be Aug. 9.
Conference committee meets
The Conference Planning Committee met June 17 to review planning progress and finalize the slate of presenters and workshops for the conference. The next meeting will be July 22. See below for conference details including sponsorship and award nomination opportunities.
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Essential component 11
This week the Ohio START team hosted the final essential component call in the 11-part series. Essential component 11 focuses on family-centered interventions. START partners discussed ways to engage families using motivational interviewing, and how to use visitation time to support parents as they practice parenting skills.
‘Beat the Stigma’ campaign releases guide
This week the "Beat the Stigma" campaign of Gov. Mike DeWine’s RecoveryOhio initiative, the Ohio Attorney General’s Task Force on Criminal Justice and Mental Illness, and the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance released a guide for media professionals (“Reporting About Substance Use and Mental Health: A Resource for Media Professionals”). The guide aims to help reduce the use of stigmatizing language and images. While the guide is geared toward media professionals, it has excellent information that PCSAs may find helpful, and we encourage you to take a look!
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Pre-Clearance: As of June 17, there are no children services-related rules in pre-clearance.
Clearance: As of June 17, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.
Filed with JCARR: As of June 17, there are no children services-related rules filed with JCARR.
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About the 2022 conference
PCSAO is holding its 37th annual conference Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 19-21 at the Hilton Easton. Our theme, “As Our World Turns,” recognizes that the children services field is in the midst of many changes and it can feel like we are spinning so fast, we can’t slow down. At the same time, the theme employs lighthearted humor around soap operas.
Become a sponsor!
The PCSAO Annual Conference is an opportunity to network with more than 500 children services professionals across Ohio. See our sponsorship flyer for more information regarding sponsorship levels and benefits. See a preview of the application here. Ready to become a sponsor? Complete this form. Sponsorship closes Sept. 1.
Award nominations
Each year, PCSAO recognizes and celebrates the achievements of our youth and families who have been served by Ohio’s public children services agencies, as well as the achievements of our child protection professionals who have served them. We are now accepting award nominations from public children services agencies for the Leaders of Tomorrow, Family of the Year, and Child Protection Worker, Support Staff and Supervisor of the Year awards. Nominations are due by July 8. The 2022 PCSAO award winners will be announced during the annual conference. Local agencies will notify winners prior to the event and help make their arrangements. Read the descriptions and find nomination links on our awards page.
Thanks to our World Champion Sponsor
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Resources and Opportunities |
Gov. DeWine announces free online parenting program
Gov. Mike DeWine announced a partnership with the Governor’s Children’s Initiative, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), and the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund to bring free parent education materials to families. The Triple P Positive Parenting Program aligns with recommendations from the Governor’s Children Services Transformation Advisory Council and will “help parents promote their children’s resiliency and build stronger families,” according to Gov. DeWine. Ohio families can sign up for the program here.
Youth Navigator Network seeks young adults to serve on council
OhioKAN is launching the Youth Navigator Network this fall for youth and young adults who are currently in foster care and/or are transitioning out of it. Like OhioKAN, the new Youth Navigator Program will provide 1:1 navigation services to youth, including information, referral, and resource linkage services. The program is currently seeking youth and young adults up to age 21 to serve on the Young Adult Advisory Council. See here for the nomination form.
Legal bus tour sponsored by OhioKAN
OhioKAN is sponsoring a bus tour around the state offering legal services and supports to kinship and post-adoptive families. The Ohio Justice Bus is a mobile legal aid office and technology hotspot that allows legal and pro bono attorneys to travel and provide legal services to Ohioans at no cost to clients. The JusticeMobile provides legal education and resources to people in areas that may not traditionally have access to proactive legal resources. To learn more and find upcoming tour dates, click here.
Minority Professional Leadership Development Program application opens
Minority Professional Leadership Development Program (MPLD), a program of AdoptUSKids, is now accepting applications through Sept. 26 for the next cohort. This 12-month fellowship is designed for emerging minority leaders working in child welfare. It includes hands-on experience, exposure to national experts, and mentorship opportunities. The fellowship will start in January 2023. It is a great opportunity and is totally free. Learn more about the fellowship and the application. If you have questions, feel free to contact mpld@adoptuskids.org.
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Child Protection in the News |
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The state of Ohio is providing a free online parenting program to families.
Foster children face uphill battles every day of their lives so when they win one like graduating high school, trade schools or college Butler County Children Services celebrates them in a big way. Last week BCCS had its annual graduation party to honor a dozen students who beat the odds, nine graduated from high school, one from college and two earned their certificates at trade schools.
Guests from Crawford County Children Services talk about the importance of becoming a Foster Parent and how you can become one.
It's not uncommon for kids to show up to Marietta Memorial Hospital's emergency room for mental health help. Linda Sistrunk, a social worker and director of behavioral health at the hospital in southeastern Ohio, says that's a big difference from 20 years ago.
David Carroll and his wife, Liz Carroll, were both convicted in the 2006 murder of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel. They were supposed to be caring for the autistic child as his foster parents, but instead restrained him and left him alone in a closet to die, prosecutors said.
Butler County Children Services was awarded $110,576 in performance incentives from the state for excellence in the way it handles foster children and families — recognition fewer than half the counties received.
More than 70% of Ohio children who are adopted from foster care are adopted by their foster parents. And among children placed for adoption by Ohio county agencies, nearly all are eligible for subsidies paid for with the help of the federal government.
"No matter what is the situation with your mother, she is still your mother," said Anthony Parker, pastor of Rhema Fellowship Church at 3400 St. Clair Ave. in Cleveland. Parker has had a lot of experience in this area of drugs and families.
There are always turning points in life, and for Haley Simecek, the world she knew and loved quickly disappeared following the death of her father in 2019. The loss triggered trauma and intensified Simecek's addiction. "I am a recovering heroin addict and cocaine addict," said Simecek. Eventually finding herself homeless, her son and daughter in foster care, Simecek got connected with The Road to Hope.
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Calendar and Job Postings |
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June 23-24 | Executive Membership Meeting
Note: Some meetings are being held via web and others in-person.
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Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself?
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