Weekly Update: September 12, 2022
Association News
Board of Trustees meets
The PCSAO Board of Trustees met virtually on Sept. 7 and approved July’s financial report, final membership for the new Finance Committee, and SFY24-25 budget priorities. The board had an opportunity to discuss new state efforts, including Mindshare, Reporting Portal, and Open Beds, with ODJFS staff and receive updates from PCSAO staff on recent announcements from ODJFS, placement crisis, OhioRISE, Ohio START, annual conference, and workforce crisis stabilization efforts, including the ODJFS workgroup and grant. Trustees meet next in person on Oct. 5.
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.
Conference registration is closed
Don't forget to download the Webex App and sign up for workshops!

Community of Practice supports county equity initiatives
The Race Equity Community of Practice met Sept. 8 to give participating counties an opportunity to share progress and plans for introducing policy and practice changes designed to improve outcomes around issues of race and equity. Funded by Casey Family Programs, the effort meets monthly.
Ohio START
START leadership joins partners at SIRC
Last week Ohio START leadership joined research partners from The Ohio State University College of Social Work at the SIRC (Society for Implementation Research Collaboration) Conference. OSU facilitated a poster presentation highlighting the community-engaged partnerships and implementation practices of Ohio START, which is currently implementing in 54 counties.
Rules Update
Clearance: The following rule is open for comment until Sept. 15:
  • Rule 5101:2-9-11 - Admissions and Admissions Log sets forth guidance for residential facilities to have a written admissions policy. The amendment to this rule adds Residential Infant Care Center as a facility type allowed to admit children under the age of six years. 
 
The following Fiscal Administrative Procedure Letter (FAPL) is currently in Clearance until Sept. 15:
 
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were original-filed on Aug. 26 with a hearing date of Sept. 29:
  • Rule 5101:2-5-28 - Cause for denial of initial certification, denial of recertification or revocation of a foster home certificate.
  • Rule 5101:2-5-33 - Foster caregiver preplacement and continuing training.
  • Rule 5101:2-5-38 - Payment of foster caregiver training stipends; reimbursement of training allowances to recommending agencies.
Annual Conference
Registration is closed!
Don't forget to sign up for workshops on the Webex App. More instructions are below. We're excited to see you next week!

How to sign up for workshops:
  1. Follow this link.
  2. Select the correct app download button for your device and download the app, or select Web App to join from your laptop or desktop computer.
  3. Open the app and enter the email address you used to register for the event, or use one of the social sign-in options. If you use social sign-in, the social account you use must match the email address you registered with.
  4. If you entered an email, create a password and click Sign Up.
  5. Fill in your networking profile and click Continue. Your profile information will help you connect with other people during the event!
  6. Now, browse for "2022 PCSAO Annual Conference: As Our World Turns" or use the search bar to find it. Once you've found it, tap on it.

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.

Thanks to our World Champion Sponsor


Thanks to ODJFS for being our Conference Partner!


Thanks to The Buckeye Ranch for sponsoring the conference!
Resources and Clips
Resources and Opportunities
OhioRISE guidance for Behavioral Health Respite available
Behavioral Health (BH) Respite provides short-term temporary relief to the primary caregiver or caregivers of an OhioRISE-enrolled youth. This service can be provided inside or outside the individual’s residence and is designed to support and preserve the primary caregiving relationship. The Ohio Medicaid rule governing this service is OAC 5160-59-03.4. OhioRISE recently issued guidance on how to become a BH Respite provider for the Medicaid Managed Care program. The guidance is available here.

Behavioral health stakeholder regional listening sessions
The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) is convening five in-person regional listening and discussion sessions and three virtual sessions to allow for local input and perspective on issues that the 340 Workgroup has been considering. The goal for these meetings is to facilitate roundtable conversations with representatives of local ADAMH boards, providers, county officials, community leaders, and Ohioans with lived experience and their families that allow OhioMHAS and members of the workgroup to listen and gather feedback around the delivery of behavioral health services in Ohio’s communities. Anyone interested in participating in the roundtable discussions, in-person or virtual, must RSVP to 340ReviewWorkgroup@mha.ohio.gov no later than one week in advance of the meeting date. RSVPs should include full name, organization (if applicable), and county of residence; please also indicate if any special accommodation is needed. The meetings are open to the public, and a public comment period will be part of each of these sessions. The dates and times of these meetings are below.
 
In-person sessions organized regionally by OhioMHAS Regional Psychiatric Hospital catchment areas:
  • Central Ohio: Sept. 19, 2-4 p.m., State Library of Ohio, 274 E. First Ave., Columbus. RSVP by Sept. 12.
  • Northeast Ohio: Oct. 13, 2-4 p.m., Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. High St., Akron. RSVP by Oct. 6.
  • Appalachia/Southeast Ohio: Oct. 27 (location to be confirmed). RSVP by Oct. 20.
  • Southwest Ohio: Nov. 7, 2-4 p.m., Warren County Educational Service Center, 1879 Deerfield Rd., Lebanon. RSVP by Oct. 31.
  • Northwest Ohio: Nov. 14, 2-4 p.m., Wood County Educational Service Center, 1867 Research Dr., Bowling Green. RSVP by Nov. 7.
 
Virtual Sessions: To receive a link to these sessions, please register by sending an email to 340ReviewWorkgroup@mha.ohio.gov no later than one week in advance of the meeting date.
  • Oct. 24, 6-8 p.m. RSVP by Oct. 17.
  • Nov. 1, 6-8 p.m. This session is reserved specifically for peers and organizations run by peers. RSVP by Oct. 25.
  • Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-12 noon. RSVP by Nov. 2.

Attend child welfare worker recognition event
As part of Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week, Sept. 12-16, NCWWI and the Children’s Bureau are hosting a one-hour virtual recognition event Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. EDT. This event is about taking time to reflect, connect (with our mission and each other), and recharge. More information and registration can be found here.

Join webinar on building resilience for child welfare professionals
Join NCWWI and the Florida Institute for Child Welfare to discuss ways to build resilience for child welfare professionals. Learn about tools and resources available to help yourself and your clients respond with resilience in the face of challenges. Attendees will engage in practical approaches for coping with personal and workplace stress. This session will be interactive and provide space to collaborate with colleagues to discuss tactics to normalize struggle and build connections. Click here to view additional details and sign up.

Resources for National Recovery Month
September is #RecoveryMonth, dedicated to supporting recovery for every person, family, and community. Learn more: samhsa.gov/find-help/recovery

Resources for National Kinship Month
This link provides resources for kinship caregivers and outlines where relatives can go to find the support they need to be successful. Resources include handbooks and information about legal, financial, and other issues common to kinship families. The section also provides guidance on changing family dynamics and establishing permanency.
Child Protection in the News
Business and advocacy groups in Ohio recently urged Gov. Mike DeWine to spend federal COVID-19 relief money on affordable housing after a new report showed rent in the state increased more than the typical prepandemic year. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released its 2023 Fair Market Rents report Thursday, an annual estimate of the amount of money that would cover rent and utility expenses. That report showed an overall increase in Ohio markets of nearly 10% in one year. A bill in an Ohio House committee, House Bill 560, would provide up to $50 million in nonrefundable tax credits over 10 years to companies building new, affordable housing or remodeling existing buildings to shelters for low-income families. Also: House Bill 560, Authorize tax credit for certain affordable rental housing. 

The man convicted in the 2006 murder of 3-year-old Marcus Fiesel has been denied parole, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction confirmed Friday.

At least 617 times in the last four years, children were housed more than one day at the Jane Edna Hunter Social Services Center office building because they had nowhere else to go – but Cuyahoga County officials believe they’ve found a solution.

A Scioto County Judge took matters into his own hands to rescue children from a filthy and dangerous home, and now the state wants him to pay. 

The Lima NAACP on Tuesday called for Allen County Children Services to release family reunification data after the civil rights group received complaints from several Black parents alleging ACCS engaged in racial discrimination during the reunification process.

Family Court Judge Rosemarie Hall has spent countless hours in her office talking to Stark County children involved in custody cases.

More people are stepping forward saying they, too, suffered severe abuse at the hands of some local nuns. Now, victims are starting to see offers of restitution. This comes after a News 5 Investigation continues to expose what happened at a former home for children called Parmadale.
Calendar and Job Postings
Sept. 12 | Legislative Committee Meeting
Sept. 19-21 | Annual Conference
Oct. 5 | Board of Trustees Meeting
Oct. 7 | Rule Review Committee Meeting

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