Weekly Update: August 15, 2022
Association News
Conference registration opens through Sept. 3
Registration for the 2022 PCSAO Annual Conference, "As Our World Turns," is open. County agencies can still take advantage of scholarships for frontline workers through the end of this week. Read about the conference agenda, keynote speakers, awards, sponsors, and more on our conference webpage. Register here.
OCWTP meets
The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program State Steering Committee met Aug. 10. OCWTP plans to release its SFY22 annual report in September. The committee discussed training delivery, credit alignment in the new Learning Management System, and a new sex abuse intervention series. The next meeting will be Sept. 14.
Foster care workgroup examines supports
The ODJFS Tiered Foster Care Workgroup met Aug. 11 to review draft rules and identify a menu of possible supports for caregivers. ODJFS announced a planned pilot of the new structure for this fall. The workgroup continues to meet at least monthly, with Cindy Ricketts now assigned as project manager.
Community of practice moves equity interventions forward
PCSAO’s Race Equity Community of Practice met Aug. 11. Participating counties are identifying staff training, policy review, hiring practices, community partner engagement, and other strategies to improve outcomes for children and families of color served. The monthly meetings will continue through the fall, made possible through generous support from Casey Family Programs and consultation from the Center for the Study of Social Policy.
PCSAO seeks Initiatives Coordinator
PCSAO is seeking a full-time Initiatives Coordinator to manage grant-related projects and coordinate strategic initiatives that advance children services practice as identified in the Association’s strategic plan. PCSAO is a friendly, collegial team that values diversity. To apply, review the job description for duties and qualifications; submit a cover letter and résumé through the application portal. Applications will be reviewed and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Ohio START
Ohio START meets with PCSAs
This week the Ohio START team met with PCSAs considering working on pre-implementation of START. During the last three months, these counties have met regularly, with their technical assistance consultants and as a group, to problem-solve county-specific barriers to implementation. During this meeting we discussed the challenge of collaboration and partnerships with community stakeholders. We identified the common barriers Ohio START teams experience in developing effective partnerships and explored opportunities for alignment.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: On July 13, ODJFS announced discontinuation of Ohio’s Families and Children Rule Review website due to suspension of operations by Family and Youth Law (FYLaw) Center at Capital University Law School. Effective Aug. 1, the Rule Review website is no longer being used for pre-clearance review of rules; however, all other rule review processes already in place will remain. 
 
Clearance: As of Aug. 12, the following rules are open for comment until Aug. 16:
  • Rule 5101:9-6-08.6 - Temporary assistance to needy families (TANF) independent living (IL) allocation.
 
As of Aug. 12, the following rules are open for comment until Aug. 18:
  • Rule 5101:2-50-01 entitled “Bridges definitions” provides definitions for key terms used in the Bridges rules. This rule is being amended to update definitions for consistency and clarity.
  • Rule 5101:2-50-02 entitled “Requirements for bridges eligibility” outlines eligibility requirements and application process for Bridges. This rule is being amended to align with Ohio Revised Code requirements and identify forms used in the application process.
  • Rule 5101:2-50-03 entitled “Bridges termination and reentry” outlines the reasons and process for terminating a participant from Bridges. This rule is being amended for clarity
  • Rule 5101:2-51-01 - "Administration of Adoption Assistance Connections to Age Twenty-One (AAC)" provides guidelines for the administration of the AAC program. Language was added or revised including title changes of JFS AAC forms, definition of adopted young adult, case record retention, agreement form, and minor grammatical changes.
  • Rule 5101:2-51-02 - "Eligibility for Adoption Assistance Connections to Age Twenty-One (AAC)" outlines the eligibility requirements for AAC that the adoptive parent(s) must assure they continue to provide parental responsibility for the adopted young adult, the adopted young adult also assures ongoing parental support, and the adopted young adult meets one of the five eligibility criteria. Language was added or revised including title changes of JFS AAC forms, eligibility requirements, termination notice mailing formats, and minor grammatical changes.
  • Rule 5101:2-51-03 - "Payments for Adoption Assistance Connections to Age Twenty-One (AAC)" outlines the payment process for the AAC program. Minor grammatical revisions were made to this rule.

Filed with JCARR: The following rules were original-filed on July 28 with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 1:
 
The following rules were original-filed on Aug. 4 with a hearing scheduled for Sept. 7:
  • Rule 5101:2-46-01 - Administration of the Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP).
  • Rule 5101:2-46-02 - Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) eligibility criteria.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-03 - Initial determination of the Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) monthly payment amount.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-04 - Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) agreement and duration: provision for financial support and services.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-05 - Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) monthly payments.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-06 - Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) ongoing verification.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-07 - Amendment of the Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) agreement.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-08 - Suspension of Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) payment.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-09 - Termination of a Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) agreement.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-10 - Case record requirements for Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP).
  • Rule 5101:2-46-11 - Title XIX Medicaid coverage for Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) eligible children.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-12 - Title XIX Medicaid coverage for Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) eligible children.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-13 - Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) intercounty and interstate case management responsibility.
  • Rule 5101:2-46-14 - Requirements for Title IV-E kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) past age eighteen.
  • Rule 5101:2-55-01 - Administration of kinship guardianship assistance program connections to twenty-one (KGAP C21).
  • Rule 5101:2-55-02 - Eligibility for kinship guardianship assistance program connections to twenty-one (KGAP C21).
  • Rule 5101:2-55-03- Payments for kinship guardianship assistance program connections to twenty-one (KGAP C21).
  • Rule 5101:2-56-01 - Administration of the state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP).
  • Rule 5101:2-56-02 - Eligibility for state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP).
  • Rule 5101:2-56-03 - Public children services agency (PCSA) eligibility determination of the state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP).
  • Rule 5101:2-56-04 - Requirements for state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) past age eighteen.
  • Rule 5101:2-56-05 - Reimbursement of nonrecurring state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) expenses.
  • Rule 5101:2-56-06 - Termination of the state kinship guardianship assistance program (KGAP) payments.
  • Rule 5101:2-56-07 - State kinship guardianship assistance program record (KGAP) requirements.
Annual Conference
Registration now open to everyone!
PCSAO members and non-members are invited to register here.

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. Thank you to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services for serving as our first-ever conference partner. Read about the conference agenda, keynote speakers, awards, sponsors, and more on our conference webpage.

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.

Call for gift baskets
PCSAO is collecting gift baskets from agencies to be raffled off during the conference. These gift baskets will serve to engage attendees and show appreciation for all involved. Basket themes should be family friendly (no alcohol) and appeal to a wide audience. For planning purposes, notify Anne Potts at anne@pcsao.org by Sept. 2 if your agency is interested in providing a gift basket. Baskets can be brought directly to the conference and dropped off at the help desk.

Thanks to our World Champion Sponsor


Thanks to ODJFS for being our Conference Partner!
Resources and Clips
Resources and Opportunities
ODJFS, Supreme Court of Ohio announce 2023 Summit on Children
The 2023 Summit on Children, co-sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, will be held at The Ohio State University March 16-17, 2023. This team-based training event will focus on best practices for Ohio’s courts and children services system partners to collaborate for better outcomes. More details can be found here.

Supplemental training regarding CANS scheduled
The Center of Excellence announced a supplemental training regarding CANS to be conducted for the purpose of fulfilling FFPSA requirements. This training is for any CANS assessor who is planning on conducting CANS as the "Qualified Individual" for the purposes of FFPSA. The training will take place Aug. 18, 9-11:30 a.m. Register here.

OhioRISE PCSA office hours scheduled
The Ohio Department of Medicaid launched OhioRISE (Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence) on July 1. OhioRISE is Ohio’s first-ever highly specialized program to help youth with complex behavioral health and multi-system needs who are served by Medicaid. All PCSAs are invited to attend special office hours available each Friday from 10-11 a.m. through Aug. 26 to get OhioRISE questions answered and problem-solve any issues. To join these office hours, click here. For more information about the launch of OhioRISE, click here.
Child Protection in the News
Ohio's children were hard hit by the pandemic.

Aug. 10 - In Ohio, the kids aren't all right (May require subscription)- Columbus Dispatch
We all know the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on Ohio children. New data show just how hard it's gotten. Numbers released by the Annie E. Casey Foundation this week indicate that rates of depression and/or anxiety among Ohio children climbed by 42% from 2016 to 2020. The Buckeye State now ranks 31st overall for child well-being and scored in the bottom half across all categories, including health, education and economic well-being. High school graduation rates are steadily increasing, but significant racial and ethnic disparities remain. And Ohio has yet to improve fourth-grade reading proficiency.
 
Aug. 10 - Child educational, health issues persist in Ohio - Ohio Capital Journal
Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine spent Tuesday afternoon celebrating Ohio’s use of the free children’s book service Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which is nearing 50% participation by kids from infants up to age five.
 
Ohio State Representative Susan Manchester spoke about the needs of children at the Kiwanis Club meeting on Tuesday afternoon at Milano’s Cafe.
Calendar and Job Postings
Aug. 17 | Southwest District Meeting
Aug. 19 | Conference Committee Meeting
Sept. 1 | Rules Review Committee Meeting
Sept. 7 | Board of Trustees Meeting

Note: Some meetings are being held via web and others in-person.
View the full calendar for details.
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