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Ohio START believes that everyone is capable of change and redemption. Together, we have served more than 4,000 Ohioans in need of support, compassion, and healing.
“Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start.” —Nido Qubein
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From the Field: County Highlights | |
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Ashland
FPM Brittany Wilcox began a support group for parents who have reunified with their children.
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Tuscarawas/Carroll
Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties welcome new FPM Taylor Ferl.
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Allen
Allen County is increasing case numbers and is set to begin the self-assessment process.
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START Attends Ohio PRO Conference | |
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Ohio PRO held its annual conference July 29-30 in Columbus with the theme "Peer Faces: Celebrating Resiliency." Ohio START was one of the event sponsors and was able to have a table to meet peers and peer agencies from across the state. It was nice to see some Ohio START FPMs in person! Ohio PRO's mission is to strengthen and expand the impact of peer recovery organizations throughout Ohio. They provide various types of support in the way of monthly newsletters and events throughout the year. Learn more about Ohio PRO here.
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Jen McClellan Promoted to Evaluation and Performance Manager | |
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We are excited to announce that Jen McClellan has been promoted to PCSAO’s Evaluation and Performance Manager! Jen, who recently completed her PhD in social work, will focus primarily on Ohio START, providing oversight and coordination of the model’s evaluation through close collaboration with current evaluation vendors and conducting additional data analysis. Jen will also expand and improve PCSAO’s own research efforts. Congratulations, Jen!
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Ohio START Success Stories | |
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Fairfield County Success Story
Fairfield County recently celebrated the START graduation of Rhiley! Rhiley was enthusiastic from the very beginning about the START program. She consistently engaged with her Family Peer Mentor and her START Caseworker, utilizing them as her supports in early recovery. Throughout her recovery journey, Rhiley built natural sober supports to surround herself with. During her time working with Fairfield County, Rhiley developed a strong coparenting relationship with the father of her child, who did not have a relationship with their daughter prior to involvement. Rhiley also obtained full time employment and independent housing during her open case. Fairfield County is proud of the strides Rhiley has taken for herself, her recovery, and her daughter.
Summit County Success Story
In June 2022, Summit County had a client graduate from Ohio START. It was a challenge at times to get her to the point of consistent sobriety, but once she got there, she never turned back. Two years later in June of 2024, the Summit County START team ran into this same graduate at a community event. The graduate now works in recovery, recently bought a house, expanded her family, and is about to celebrate 3 years in recovery. She is loving her life and expressed thanks for her START team never giving up on her, emphasizing that her START worker and FPM saved her life.
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Share your success story to be featured in the next newsletter here.
Nominate an Ohio START staff member to be spotlighted here.
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Stefanie Robinson to Present at 2024 PCSAO Conference
Did you know the 2024 Ohio START Summit keynote speaker, Stefanie Robinson, will be presenting a workshop at the 2024 PCSAO Annual Conference? Stefanie is the Founding Executive Director of Hope Recovery Community in Medina County serving those impacted by addiction and will be presenting "Language of Recovery" at the conference on Sept. 9.
Child protection caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, clinicians, attorneys, and advocates are invited to register for the conference Sept. 9-11 for three days of learning and celebrating the accomplishments of youth, families, and child protection staff from around the state of Ohio. View the agenda and workshop offerings here. Registration closes Aug. 26. Register here.
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Ohio START Job Postings
Do you have an open Ohio START position? Please send the details of your open positions to christine@pcsao.org to post on the Ohio START website.
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National START Supervisor Affinity Group | Aug. 14, 12:00-1:30 p.m.
Mark your calendars for the next convening of the inter-state affinity group for START supervisors. This role-specific peer learning opportunity is designed for networking, shared learning, and quality improvement planning while building a nationwide community of practice to support improved outcomes for children and families affected by parental substance use disorders. The topic for this meeting will be the supervisor's role in supporting shared decision-making meetings. Register here.
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FASD Awareness Resources
The Ohio FASD Steering Committee has created fact cards, advertisements, and promotional items available for digital sharing or for downloading, printing, and distributing to community and faith organizations, OB/GYN and pediatric offices, first responders, bars and restaurants, parents/caregivers, and at community events. These resources aim to raise awareness about preventing and identifying Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Check out the toolkit here.
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Learning Community Discussions 2024 Schedule
Here are the 2024 dates for Learning Community Calls for caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, behavioral health workers, and family peer mentors. Please note that future dates are subject to change.
Caseworkers
Calls will occur on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Here is the Zoom link. Calls will be based on county size, divided into the following three groups: Metro/Large, Medium, and Small.
- Metro/Large call: Oct. 16
- Medium: Aug. 21, Nov. 20
- Small: Sept. 18, Dec. 18
Supervisors
Calls will occur bi-monthly on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The dates are as follows: Sept. 19. Here is the Zoom link.
Administrators
Calls will occur quarterly on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The final meeting is Aug.15. Here is the Zoom link.
Behavioral health workers
Calls will occur quarterly on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The dates are as follows: Oct. 17. Here is the Zoom link.
Family peer mentors
Calls will occur monthly on the last Wednesday of the month from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The dates are as follows: Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, and Nov. 27. Here is the Zoom link.
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Visit the training calendar below to register | |
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Ohio START Consortium Meeting (Virtual)
Aug. 7 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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Screening and Intervention of Substance Use Disorders (UNCOPE)
Aug. 8 & 9 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Introduction to START for New Staff
Aug. 15 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Foundations 2: Hiring and Supervision of Family Peer Mentors
Aug. 19 & 20 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Trauma & Resilience: Identifying children, parents and families at risk
Aug. 28 & 29 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Ohio START is a program of PCSAO and an affiliate of the National START Model
Our Mission: We approach Substance Use Disorders with compassion, understanding and hope for recovery. We work as a team, supporting and holding each other accountable. We believe in family, love, equity, and redemption.
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