Weekly Update: April 26, 2021 |
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Workforce program extended
A federal workforce grant intended to support employers affected by the addiction epidemic has been extended for a year. The program could pay wages and benefits for children services agencies to hire case aides, transportation/visitation supervisors, and other staff for up to a year. These staff could also be employed by the area workforce board or even a temp agency if necessary. The staff cannot supplant or displace regular positions, but provides additional boots on the ground to address the fallout of the epidemic. Learn more. Contact your area workforce development board to apply.
Race, equity learning series kicks off
The first of four two-hour trainings on race, equity and inclusion in the child protection system launched April 20 with a session on "Having Conversations about Racism and Introduction to Foundational Concepts." Made possible with grant support from Casey Family Programs, the series is part of PCSAO's strategic modernization plan and is led by the Center for the Study of Social Policy. The training is open to agency directors and their senior leadership team, and more than 100 participated. The goal is to improve understanding about race and disproportionality, and ultimately to improve outcomes for children and families.
Treatment foster care survey
As part of PCSAO’s work with ODJFS over the last two years to improve treatment foster care, the state released a survey to the field April 23 to assess current practice. While the survey is primarily directed to private agencies with treatment foster homes, any county agency that has its own treatment program should complete the survey as well (one response per county). PCSAO is currently working with a group of counties to pilot the new tiers and other recommendations included in three reports released on behalf of a broad stakeholder group last year. We are grateful to ODJFS for moving this critical part of Family First and foster care reform forward. Contact Scott Britton for more information and the survey link.
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Medical marijuana training
On April 21, Ohio START hosted a webinar about the Medical Marijuana Control Program (MMCP) in Ohio featuring Sharon Maerten-Moore, Esq., the director of Medical Marijuana Operations for the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy. Attendees learned about the structure and history of the MMCP, how patients qualify for the program, and general rules regarding how patients can remain compliant with criminal and other laws while utilizing medical marijuana.
Come work with us!
Ohio START is seeking a regional manager to assist with management and implementation of our program, focused on the development and oversight of technical assistance in a specified region of the state. Read more and apply here.
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State and Federal Updates |
Gov. Mike DeWine announced this week:
- Over 38 percent of Ohioans have received at least one coronavirus vaccination shot. Although cases have plateaued, virus variants are more contagious among those who have not been vaccinated. Ohioans should not count on herd immunity until more people are vaccinated.
- The vaccine is now more widely available and there is no shortage. Many places are taking walk-ins.
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Pre-Clearance: The following rule is open for comments until April 29:
The following rules are open for comments until April 27:
The following rule is open for comments until May 6:
Clearance: As of April 23, there are no children services rules in Clearance.
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were original-filed on April 9 with a hearing date of May 12:
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Rule 5101:2-47-01 - Administration of the Title IV-E foster care maintenance program (FCM).
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Rule 5101:2-47-09 - Case record requirements for foster care maintenance (FCM).
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Rule 5101:2-47-12 - Foster care maintenance: Initial determination of program eligibility and reimbursability.
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Rule 5101:2-47-13 - Foster care maintenance program eligibility: Legal responsibility requirements.
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Rule 5101:2-47-14 - Foster care maintenance program eligibility: ADC-relatedness.
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Rule 5101:2-47-15 - Foster care maintenance program reimbursability: authorization for foster care maintenance and auxiliary payment reimbursements.
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Rule 5101:2-47-16 - Foster care maintenance program reimbursability: Reimbursable placement settings.
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Rule 5101:2-47-19 - Foster care maintenance program reimbursability: payments, reimbursements, graduation expenses and personal incidentals.
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Rule 5101:2-47-20 - Foster care maintenance program reimbursability: Supplemental reimbursements for the cost of care for the child of a Title IV-E recipient parent.
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Rule 5101:2-47-21 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) reimbursement for a child placed into a qualified residential treatment program (QRTP).
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Rule 5101:2-47-23 - Beginning date of reimbursability for foster care maintenance.
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Resources
Alcohol: New challenges, new approaches webinars April 30
In recognition of April as Alcohol Awareness Month, Prevention Action Alliance and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services are partnering to host a pair of free webinars focused on alcohol abuse prevention on April 30. Officer Jermain Galloway, a.k.a. Tall Cop, will present “Environmental Alcohol Prevention Strategies” from 10-11 a.m. Dr. David J. Hanson will present "Back to Basics on Alcohol Education" from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Click here for more information and to register for both sessions.
AOF offers budget webinar April 30
Advocates for Ohio’s Future is offering a budget webinar April 30 at 10:30 a.m. This webinar will review the latest round of changes to HB 110, the State Operating Budget Bill, as it moves to the Senate, and will discuss where behavioral health issues stand in the budget. Register here.
Casey Family Programs offers May 11 webinar on parent partners
Casey Family Programs is offing a webinar on understanding the value, impact and application of parent partner programs on May 11 at 11:30 a.m. Research has shown the effectiveness and positive outcomes for families impacted by the child welfare system when working with parent partners. This conversation will highlight those findings, explore various parent partner programs, and describe key components of these programs, which leverage meaningful engagement through lived experience to support families in navigating systems. Register here.
Ohio Safe & Together Model Implementation Summit June 10-11
The Ohio Safe & Together Model Implementation Summit, "Celebrating 10 Years of Progress," will be June 10-11. The summit will be fully virtual and will celebrate 10 years of Safe & Together Model implementation in Ohio, highlighting the efforts throughout the state to integrate the model to inform policy, practice and outcomes for families. Early-bird registration is $75 and is open until May 10. Standard registration (after May 10) is $95. Find more details here.
National conference on child abuse, neglect July 27-29
Mark your calendar! The Office on Child Abuse and Neglect, Children’s Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth, and Families will offer the 22nd National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect (NCCAN) virtually July 27-29.This event will offer an opportunity learn about nationwide efforts to shift the focus of the child welfare system to primary prevention. This year's theme is "Thriving Children and Families: Prevention with Purpose." The virtual conference will be presented over three shorter days to ensure that content is delivered in digestible segments. Check the NCCAN website for more details moving forward. To ensure you receive conference updates, subscribe to the listserv.
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Child Protection in the News |
Gov. Mike DeWine's change was a small one: clarify that any "legally married couple" can adopt in Ohio, swapping out language in state law that lists "a husband and wife."
As I write, some three days have passed since 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant was shot fatally by a policeman in Columbus, Ohio. Three days is an eternity in Twitter time. Yet by any standard other than the mad intensity of the news, it’s still too soon.
A pioneering northeast Ohio judge was drawn to the bench by her passion for criminal justice reform. The recent certification of a new drug court is her latest achievement to change not only how courts operate, but to help reshape the community.
News of the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant on Tuesday shook the nation just hours after a jury in Minnesota delivered a verdict in the George Floyd case, and days after two other youth of color were killed by police in other states
Years of effort brought down the number of infant deaths in Hamilton County to a record low in 2020, the nonprofit group leading the campaign reported Monday.
Clues to whether a toddler’s death at the hands of her parents could have been prevented may reside in state database known as SACWIS.
On March 12, 2020, Governor Mike DeWine ordered all schools, public, private and charter, to shut down at the end of the March 16 school day – for about three weeks – through April 3, 2020. This was only the beginning of a much longer stay-at-home order and, unfortunately, home is not a safe haven for many children.
The Preble County Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation declaring April as “Child Abuse Prevention Month” in Preble County during their Wednesday, April 15 meeting, joining a nationwide effort to raise awareness of and prevent child abuse.
According to Ashley Gray, Child Welfare Recruiter with Beech Acres Parenting Center, every night there are more than 600 children who need a safe and stable home. This is why Beech Acres is expanding to Montgomery County; to find, train, and match potential foster parents with children in need.
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Calendar and Job Postings |
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April 26 | Southeast District Meeting
April 26 | Northeast District Meeting
April 28 | Ohio START Leadership Council
May 5 | Board of Trustees Meeting
Note: Meetings will be held via web meeting until further notice.
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Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself?
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