A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week
Weekly Update for July 13, 2020
Association Updates

Updates from Gov. DeWine
The governor made the following announcements this week:
  • In counties with red status under the new early warning system, people are required to wear masks while inside any building that is not their residence and outside in situations where they are not able to socially distance.
  • The Ohio Department of Higher Education has developed guidance to help campuses safely reopen. The Responsible RestartOhio guidance for institutions of higher education includes minimum operating standards and best practices for all campuses. The Guidance for COVID-19 Testing at Institutions of Higher Education was also released to help institutions develop policies. 
  • To help K-12 schools and institutions of higher education address increasing costs associated with the COVID-19 safety measures, Gov. DeWine and legislative leaders are requesting that the Ohio Controlling Board approve $200 million for higher education and $100 million for K-12 schools from the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The funding request is in addition to the direct federal CARES Act funding that Ohio K-12 schools and higher education institutions are receiving.
  • Gov. DeWine is awarding an additional grant of $15 million to the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio to support homelessness-prevention efforts and rapidly rehouse individuals and families experiencing homelessness who could be at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
For the latest information from the state, visit the  coronavirus.ohio.gov page.

JFS HRA moves to monthly meetings
The Human Resources Association that supports staff in all three human services associations met July 7 on a new monthly web meeting schedule. Jonathan Downes of Zashin & Rich continues to support and advise the group on special HR matters related to the pandemic. HR leads from JFS, PCSAs and CSEAs are encouraged to participate. JFS HRA has canceled its in-person meeting Sept. 2 in favor of ongoing web meetings. The next meeting will be Aug. 4.

Conference Planning Committee meets
The PSCAO Conference Planning Committee met July 10 to review nominations for the PCSAO Child Protection Worker of the Year, Child Protection Support Staff of the Year and Child Protection Supervisor of the Year. Winners will be notified by their county agencies and honored during PCSAO's virtual annual conference.
PCSAO Conference 2020

Sponsorship opportunities now available!
The PCSAO annual conference, Partners in Progress, will be a polished virtual event produced by Mills James Productions. Our conference offers the opportunity to reach more than 500 children services professionals across the state. Our audience includes child protection caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, attorneys, directors, students and advocates. United Healthcare is our 40th Anniversary Sponsor. Visit our sponsorship page for more information.
Rules Updates

Pre-Clearance: The following rule is open for comments until July 16:
Clearance: As of July 10, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.

Filed with JCARR: A package of Medicaid rules was emergency-filed and became effective on July 8, with an expiration date of Nov. 6. Included is the following children services-related rule:
  • Rule 5130:1-4-06 - Medicaid: coverage for individuals in receipt of adoption or foster care assistance.
Announcements and Resources

Caresource and CelebrateOne offer webinar on Healthy Moms: Housing and Health Integration
Caresource, CelebrateOne and the City of Columbus are offering a webinar on "Healthy Moms: Housing and Health Integration" on July 14 from 9-11 a.m. The webinar will review research findings and recommendations for policymakers. Register here .

NCWII develops Supporting the Virtual Workforce resources
The National Child Welfare Workforce Institute has developed three resource documents from the feedback gathered in its "Supporting the Virtual Workforce" series held in the spring:

Annie E. Casey Foundation releases KIDS COUNT Data Book 2020
The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released the 2020 edition of the  KIDS COUNT® Data Book , an annually published resource that tracks child well-being nationally and state by state, and ranks states accordingly. The 2020 data book shows improvement nationally on 11 indicators in the KIDS COUNT Index; three indicators stayed the same and two worsened. Read the book here.
Child Protection in the News

Northeast Ohio Adoption Services (NOAS) invites Ohio couples or singles to register for free Adoption/Foster Care Pre-Placement Education classes taking place ONLINE in July and August.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) hosted a news conference call after he recently introduced the Child Welfare Emergency Assistance Act, comprehensive legislation to provide flexible, emergency aid for key child welfare programs working to support young people and families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brown's legislation will help ensure child welfare agencies and organizations are equipped with resources to continue protecting and supporting families during this public health crisis.

Racial inequalities in the children-services system are not a new problem, but recent civil unrest around the country is helping to shed light on the issue. Compared with their White peers, Black children are more likely to linger in foster care, less likely to find a permanent home and more likely to be placed in an institutional setting. Robin Reese, director at Lucas County Children Services, said they are focusing on prevention as they work to reduce disparities.
Profiles of Hope and Courage:
Children Services in the Era of COVID-19

Catie: 'Were it not for those two I would not be here today'

Catie is a recent graduate of Cornell University with a degree in applied economics and management, but her path to the Ivy League was not a typical one. Catie spent time in treatment foster care when she was 15 and again when she was 17. The staff at Lucas County Children Services who saw Catie’s potential had a hand in her success.


PCSAO is collecting stories from the front lines of child protection to raise awareness of the challenges our children services professionals, and the families they serve, are facing during this pandemic.
Upcoming Events

July 20 | Legislative Committee Meeting
Aug. 5 | Board of Trustees Meeting

Note: Meetings will be held via web meeting or or the foreseeable future.

Employment Opportunities

Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself? Check out the latest job openings in child protection .

Also, check out recent graduates of the University Partnership Program who are trained and ready to be hired by public agencies.
Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 | www.pcsao.org
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