Association News
Weekly Update: July 11, 2022
Director of Cuyahoga County DCFS retires
Cynthia Weiskittel, Cuyahoga County PCSA Director, retired on July 1 after 36 years of service at the Division of Children and Family Services, the last seven as director. She is known for her expertise in teaming with families and community partners. She will be missed, and we wish her well in her future endeavors. Jacqueline Fletcher is serving as the interim director. Jacqueline has a diverse background of experience as a therapist, system of care manager, senior manager of the foster care department, and most recently deputy director of resources and placement. We wish her the best in her new role.  
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 REI workgroup meets
The Ohio START Race, Equity and Inclusion (REI) workgroup met last week to touch base and discuss plans to expand REI efforts within the Ohio START program. Evaluation partners from OSU were present and discussed plans to provide the PCSAs in the workgroup with program-specific data to support and inform their REI initiatives. More information regarding opportunities for Ohio START teams to join the workgroup will be provided at the Consortium meetings on Aug. 4 and 10 from 9-10:30 a.m.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: As of July 8, there are no children services-related rules in pre-clearance.

Clearance: The following rules and forms are open for comments until July 12:
  • 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).
  • JFS 00137 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Application.
  • JFS 00138 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Notice of Eligibility Approval.
  • JFS 00139 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Agreement.
  • JFS 00140 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Notice of Redetermination.
  • JFS 00141 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Young Adult Semi-annual Assurance of Kinship Caregiver Responsibility and Eligibility for Continued Medicaid Coverage.
  • JFS 00142 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Kinship Caregiver Semi-annual Assurance of Kinship Caregiver Responsibility and Eligibility for Continued Medicaid coverage.
  • JFS 00143 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Notice of Termination.
  • JFS 00144 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Connections to Twenty One (KGAP C21) Notice of Continued Approval.
  • 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 (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 - Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Expenses.
  • 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.
  • JFS 00131 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Application for Initial Eligibility.
  • JFS 00133 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Agreement.
  • JFS 00134 - Application for Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Expenses.
  • JFS 00134-I - Instructions for Completing JFS 00134, Application for Reimbursement of Nonrecurring Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Expenses.
  • JFS 00135 - Agreement for Payment or Reimbursement for Nonrecurring Expenses Incurred in a Kinship Guardianship Placement.
  • JFS 00136 - Title IV-E Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Annual Assurance of Legal Responsibility, School Attendance and Eligibility for Continued Medicaid Coverage.
  • JFS 00127 - Notice of Adverse Action for the Federal Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP).
 
The following rules and forms are open for comments until July 13:
  • Rule 5101:2-38-05.2 - PCSA Family Case Plan requirements for Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP). 
  • 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 State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Payments.
  • Rule 5101:2-56-07 - State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Record Requirements.
  • JFS 00126 - State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Notice of Adverse Action.
  • JFS 00128 - Application for State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Payments.
  • JFS 00129 - State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Agreement.
  • JFS 00129-I - Instructions for Completing JFS 00129 State Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP) Agreement.

Filed with JCARR: As of July 8, there are no children services-related rules filed with JCARR.
Annual Conference
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.

Thanks to our World Champion Sponsor
Resources and Clips
Resources and Opportunities
NCSACW hosts panel discussion on change implementation
The National Center on Substance Abuse and Child Welfare (NCSACW) is hosting an upcoming panel discussion on July 14 examining how sustaining system-level change: 1) maximizes implementation efforts and 2) ensures programs remain effectively and equitably delivered and sustained—from the top down and bottom up. Register for free here.

OWD, OFC collaborate to assist PCSA workforce recruitment
The offices of Workforce Development (OWD) and Families and Children (OFC) are collaborating on a project to help PCSAs identify potential candidates for employment. In the months of July and August, OWD staff will be locating potential candidates, and resumes of potential candidates will be forwarded to PCSA directors for review. OWD will host an interactive training session for JFS staff responsible for PCSA children services recruitment and hiring on Aug. 17. Additional details can be found here.

Kinnect offers S.E.E.K. Learning Lab
Kinnect is offering a new Search, Engage, Explore, and Kinnect (S.E.E.K.) Training called S.E.E.K. Learning Lab. It is an opportunity for staff to bring a family or youth they would like to support to the session. Statewide Family Search and Engagement Trainer Rick Dencer will conduct an intense demonstration to help find contact information for kin, build a family tree, and create the next steps for engaging family. Fellow participants will observe the demonstration and are welcome to ask questions and even contribute along the way! The session will be two hours long. Find more information on this training and other S.E.E.K. offerings as well as registration here. 

Researchers seek families, advocates on family support in residential treatment
Researchers at The Ohio State University are interested in partnering with families and advocates to develop and test family support strategies specifically geared toward families who access residential treatment for their child. To support this effort, they are establishing a parent and family advocate advisory team who will meet periodically via Zoom and complete other online activities (e.g., brainstorming ideal family supports). The products of this project include: 1) an executive summary informed by parents' and advocates' voices that may shape practice and policy and 2) a blueprint for a targeted family support program specifically designed for families accessing residential treatment. In the project's second phase, the team will pilot test the strongest family support strategies identified by the advisory team. Advisory team members will receive an honorarium for their participation. Interested parents and advocates should complete this interest form by Aug. 5.

988 launches next Saturday
On July 16, the U.S. will transition to 988—the new number to reach the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. To assist in the effort, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has created print files for wallet cards, magnets, and posters in its 988 Partner Toolkit. The toolkit already includes logo and brand guidelines, key messages, frequently asked questions, fact sheets (English and Spanish), radio PSA scripts (English and Spanish), and more.
 
Kinship care benefits in--or out--of child welfare system
Kinship care—with or without the involvement of a child welfare agency—has many benefits for a child. From reduced trauma to increased cultural ties, kinship care should be the first option when children can no longer stay with their parents. From HHS, this Factsheet for Families explores the role of kin caregivers, types of care, what kin caregivers can expect from the child welfare system, and what services are available to them.
 
NACo releases report on county roles, responsibilities
County governments are instrumental partners in the nation’s intergovernmental system, which balances, divides and shares power and responsibilities between all levels of government. Counties are uniquely positioned to implement and administer vital intergovernmental systems, facilitate cooperation of all levels of government, and deliver results and impact for our residents and businesses at the community level. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has issued a new paper on this topic. Read the report here.

Health information technology survey still open
The Ohio Children’s Alliance (OCA), on behalf of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE), has developed a survey to learn more about health information technology utilization in children services. Responses will contribute to a report providing recommendations on addressing gaps and facilitating system improvements. It is important to understand the current type and level of HIT use in the state so that discussions of efficient and effective expansion can occur. OCA is inviting county children services agencies and others to participate in important information gathering. The survey should take less than five minutes to complete. Complete the survey.
Child Protection in the News
Marion County Children Services (MCCS) is reaching out to the community in hopes of attracting more families and individuals to become foster parents.
 
A new state database, which was announced during a press conference Wednesday morning, is expected to simplify background checks and accelerate the process to file protection orders and warrants.
 
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services said Thursday it is deploying a Rapid Response team to Cuyahoga County following recent reports of unsafe conditions for youth and staff at the Jane Edna Hunter Social Services Center.
 
With the future of legal abortion here in doubt, Ohio will have to step up efforts to make sure children born to parents who did not want them receive the support and care needed to thrive.
 
Ohio has historically remained lower than most states in the nation for child care funding, and advocates on both sides of the abortion argument say that needs to change.
 
July 4 – JCESC was prepared as OhioRISE went live – Herald-Star
The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has been preparing as part of a new initiative to help children with behavioral health needs which went live Friday. This February, JCESC was among 20 regional providers to receive grant funding through Ohio Resilience through Integrated Systems and Excellence to coordinate services in eight area counties including Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Carroll, Columbiana, Monroe, Tuscarawas and Stark.
 
A group of Hamilton County teenagers are facing the genuine possibility of becoming homeless if they cannot find new apartment units by November. Of these 22 teenagers, many of them have aged out or will soon age out of the foster care program.

As time progresses, Columbus changes and grows. But Paula Bryant and her attorney Byron Potts see many things, like change in the foster care system, as stagnant since the death of Paula's daughter Ma'Khia.
 
Ohio has historically remained lower than most states in the nation for child care funding, and advocates on both sides of the abortion argument say that needs to change.
 
Many concerns and opinions have been voiced across the nation following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion. Here in Lucas county, Children Services Executive Director, Robin Reese told 13abc that her biggest concern right now involves mental health.
Calendar and Job Postings
July 15 | East Central District Meeting
July 21 | Northwest District Meeting
July 22 | Conference Committee Meeting
July 25 | Southeast District 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?