Weekly Update: February 7, 2022 |
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OSU report recommends comprehensive, coordinated approach to solving workforce crisis
Ohio’s county children services agencies face unprecedented caseworker turnover, unmanageable caseloads, and unfilled vacancies, but a new report from The Ohio State University College of Social Work aims to help the state and counties improve workforce recruitment and retention. Building a 21st Century Children Services Workforce includes recommendations that Ohio takes a comprehensive, coordinated approach to solve a workforce crisis that has serious implications for those served. The research relied on a staff survey of 20 representative county agencies, focus groups, a literature review, an analysis of successful workforce strategies in similar systems, and the development of a county toolkit. State- and county-level recommendations include enhanced benefits, a public awareness campaign, and increased staff diversity, among others. Other research findings:
- Increases in tenure length appeared to be associated with lower levels of job satisfaction and higher levels of continuance commitment, which suggests that as employees remain working in a role, they feel decreasing satisfaction and an increasing necessity to maintain current employment.
- Respondents expressed an interest in increasing their direct interactions and providing more preventative services to families but spent too much time on paperwork and rule compliance.
- Caseworkers had frequent experiences of being disrespected and belittled by interagency professionals, who simultaneously expected them to resolve issues far outside their scope or capacity.
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PCSAO releases placement crisis report, Sausser testifies before Congress
PCSAO released a report last week that revealed that in 2021, nearly 1 in 4 (24%) children entered children services custody primarily because of mental illness, developmental/intellectual disability, or as a diversion from juvenile corrections. The report was based on a survey PCSAO developed in the wake of concerns from county directors about a rising crisis in finding appropriate, available placements for these youth. Executive Director Angela Sausser testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee Feb. 2 about the effect of America's Mental Health Crisis on child protective services, both in terms of placement needs and in terms of workforce. Read more here.
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Safety culture learning community kicks off
On Feb. 1, PCSAO hosted the kickoff session of the Safety Culture Learning Community, which was attended by leaders from 50 PCSAs. The session focused on why safety culture is needed in our current environment and how it can help with workforce retention, job satisfaction, and outcomes for children and families. Safety Culture Learning Community sessions will be held on the first Tuesday of each month in 2022.
Board of Trustees meets
PCSAO’s Board of Trustees met virtually Feb. 2 to approve January meeting minutes, accept December financial reports, and review other fiscal matters. Trustees approved the annual conference theme, discussed the placement crisis report and March membership meeting, and heard staff updates. The board meets next March 3 in-person at the spring membership meeting.
PCSAO Committees
The PCSAO Rule Review Committee met Feb. 3. The agenda included discussion on rules currently in pre-clearance and clearance (or expected to be soon), including phase two of the HB 8 foster care training rules; residential policies/care, supervision and discipline; PASSS rules and forms; and non-QRTP to QRTP assessment rule. In addition, the committee discussed the crisis care facilities and adoption rules, all coming up for five-year review. Counties shared questions and experiences regarding the CANS assessments and judicial review process for QRTP placement. The committee next meets on March 10.
At its Feb. 4 meeting, the Community Education Committee heard from Lindsay Williams and Renee Whitfield of the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund about activities and events for Child Abuse Prevention Month in April as well as planned revisions to the mandated reporter training, and from Bridget Graber of the Ohio Children’s Alliance about a new grant to support resource family recruitment for public and private agencies. PCSAO and county updates followed. The next meeting is March 11 (note that it will be the second Friday, not the first).
Tiered foster care workgroup considers critical supports
At its Feb. 1 meeting, the ODJFS Tiered Foster Care Workgroup took up the supports and services that resource families should expect to receive, learned of a funding opportunity for caregiver recruitment, updated the project timeline, and reviewed results of a treatment foster care survey. The workgroup meets next Feb. 16.
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START holds first consortium meeting of 2022
On Feb.3, Ohio START held the first consortium meeting of 2022 with approximately 60 people in attendance from throughout the state. During the meeting, participants received program updates from the director and results from parent surveys conducted by The Ohio State University. Participants also heard a presentation about trauma stewardship and the importance of self-care. The second winter consortium meeting will be held on Feb. 9. For more information and to register, visit the training area of the Ohio START website.
Join our team!
PCSAO is seeking a program coordinator to assist with the implementation of Ohio START and the advancement of best practices within children services. See the job posting here. Sound like a good fit? Apply here.
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Pre-Clearance: The following rule is open for comments until Feb. 13:
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Rule 5101:2-47-18 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program reimbursability: Reimbursements related to the difficulty of care needs of a child placed in a foster home, relative home, or pre-finalized adoptive home.
The following rule is open for comments until Feb. 24:
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Rule 5101:2-36-12 - PCSA requirement for cross-referring reports of child abuse and/or neglect.
The following rules are open for comments until Feb. 25:
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Rule 5101:2-5-36 - Additional requirements for an agency that acts as a representative of ODJFS in recommending treatment foster homes for certification.
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Rule 5101:2-7-16 - Additional requirements for a treatment foster caregiver and a treatment foster home.
Clearance: The following rule is open for comments until Feb. 10:
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Rule 5101:2-42-12.1 - Assessment of Child Placed in a Non-Qualified Residential Treatment Program Which Becomes Qualified Residential Treatment Program Compliant
The following rules are open for comments until Feb. 16:
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Rule 5101:2-44-13 - Public children services agency (PCSA) administration of the post adoption special services subsidy (PASSS) program provides guidance families seeking PASSS funding.
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Rule 5101:2-44-13.1 - Eligibility and application process for the post adoption special services subsidy (PASSS) program.
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Rule 5101:2-5-13 - Required agency policies, plans and procedures.
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Rule 5101:2-9-21 - Care, supervision and discipline.
Filed with JCARR: The following rule was final-filed on Feb. 2 with an effective date of Feb. 15:
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Rule 5101:2-52-10 - Interstate placement requirements for Ohio courts, parents, or legal guardians when placing a child in a residential placement in another state or territory.
The following rules were original-filed on Feb. 1 with a hearing on March 10:
The following rules were original-filed on Feb. 2 with a hearing on March 10:
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Resources and Announcements |
Fatherhood Commission offers mini-grants
In recognition of the importance of involved, committed and supportive fathers, the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood has released a new funding opportunity. The commission will award up to 15 mini-grants to nonprofit organizations and/or government entities that host father-child events in June. Organizations chosen will be reimbursed up to $4,000 for eligible expenses incurred in June 2022, as June is Responsible Fatherhood Month. Applications are due Feb. 24. Find more information and the application here.
Crisis Leadership Academy for LGBTQ+ kids Feb. 25
The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Great Lakes Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, are offering a webinar on “Crisis Response for LGBTQ+ Populations” Feb. 25 from 1-4 p.m. The webinar will address the importance of the crisis continuum’s responsiveness to the unique needs of the at-risk LGBTQ+ population. It will also focus on crisis services for the LGBTQ+ population, understanding identity and normalizing the use of pronouns, safety planning, and providing resources for non-familial social support while noting the importance of allyship. To register, click here.
Kinnect to Family announces focus groups on permanency planning
Kinnect to Family announced that it will hold focus groups in early March for birth parents, kinship caregivers, foster parents, and professionals. These one-hour focus groups are intended to provide Kinnect to Family with insight into what kinship and foster caregivers want to know related to permanency planning for youth for whom they are caring. Birth parents, kinship caregivers, and foster parents are eligible to receive $50 gift cards for their participation. Find more information and sign up below:
Eastern Ohio Leadership Conference registration opens
The 28th Annual Eastern Ohio Leadership Conference, “Back and Better Than Ever,” will be held at the Carlisle Inn in Sugarcreek on March 30-April 1. Find the conference brochure here (refresh your browser if the link will not open). Register no later than March 21. There is no registration fee, nor are participants required to attend all three days. Contact ECORTC staff with questions.
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Child Protection in the News |
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For almost two years, staff members of Medina County Jobs and Family Services have worked to help families in the county with substance abuse issues or concerns.
An increased demand for child welfare services during the coronavirus pandemic has caused burnout, traumatic stress issues and significant staff shortages for frontline workers at agencies that help protect children from abuse and neglect, the head of an Ohio association for the state’s public children services agencies told the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday.
The COVID pandemic has masked another health crisis—the opioid epidemic. Since the start of the pandemic, record numbers of Americans have died from drug overdoses—more than 100,000 in the 12-month period ending last April. Most of them were people aged 25 to 55, but overdoses are increasingly impacting young people.
State Reps. Gail Pavliga (R-Portage County) and Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) are joint primary sponsors of House Bill 428, which creates the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study Commission. The legislation passed in the Ohio House last week, according to a news release sent on behalf of the two Representatives.
Ohio neighborhoods with more opioid overdoses also have a higher rate of child abuse, according to a new study from the Ohio State University’s College of Social Work. Looking at 9,231 Census block groups in Ohio, which were used as a stand-in for neighborhoods, the study looked at every instance in 2015 when an EMS responder used naloxone in an attempt to stop an opioid overdose including from prescription pills to heroin to fentanyl.
Stark County has a critical need for more foster care and adoptive parents. There are currently 120 foster homes for nearly 360 children. "That's a lot of kids needing a place to sleep and a place to stay, and the homes we do have are getting full," said Jamie Horey, a supervisor for the Stark County Job and Family Services' Division of Children Services.
The Ross County Pioneer Center has been awarded grant funding to assist families with keeping their children in their homes and communities. The grant approved by the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities provides respite services and other supports for youth with complex behavioral health needs. Many of these kids have a history that includes significant trauma, and are at the greatest risk of being removed from their homes - entering either the juvenile justice system or child welfare.
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Calendar and Job Postings |
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Feb. 18 | Conference Committee Meeting
Feb. 28 | Legislative Committee Meeting
Note: Some meetings are being held via web and others in-person.
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Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself?
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