Weekly Update: January 25, 2021
Association News
Metro counties discuss vaccines, visitation, kinship program
PCSAO’s metro counties held their bi-weekly check-in call Jan. 21. Topics included COVID vaccinations, Ohio’s new Kinship Support Program and the status of visitation in their county. PCSAO district and policy updates were provided. The next meeting is Feb. 4. 

Southwest, Northwest districts hold first meetings of 2021
The PCSAO Southwest District met on Jan. 20. Presentations included ODJFS Director Kimberly Henderson, who provided updates related to the upcoming state budget, kinship support, and the children services workforce crisis; Roger Ward from ODJFS on best practices and tools related to Family Team Meetings; and Sharla O'Keeffe with Northwoods updates. The district also received updates from OCWTP, PCSAO and all counties attending; the next meeting will be March 17. PCSAO's Northwest District met on Jan. 21. Presentations included staff from Shadowbox on the district’s progress with that effort and Roger Ward. The district received updates on its Magellan project and updates from PCSAO; the next meeting will be April 15. 

RFP: PCSAO seeks vendor for workforce research
PCSAO has issued a Request for Proposals for a research project that aims to address the children services workforce crisis. The RFP, Building a 21st Century Children Services Workforce, seeks proposals that will offer proven solutions for addressing the challenge of recruiting and retaining qualified caseworkers. Proposals are due Feb. 12. Read more.
Ohio START
Ohio START seeks second regional manager
Ohio START is seeking a second regional manager to assist with the management and implementation of the Ohio START program. Applications are due Feb. 15. Read more.

Ohio START expands
Six new counties have been selected to join Ohio START, bringing to 52 the number participating. Counties selected to join Ohio START are Columbiana, Coshocton, Greene, Guernsey, Huron and Miami. Find more information about Ohio START at ohiostart.org.
State and Federal Updates
State updates
Gov. Mike DeWine made the following announcements about COVID-19 efforts:

  • Gov. DeWine announced that the Ohio Department of Health will extend Ohio's 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew. 
  • Week of Jan. 25: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 75 and up. Vaccinations will also be available to those who have a developmental or intellectual disability AND a severe congenital, developmental, or early-onset medical disorder. A representative from the local county developmental disabilities board will reach out to help coordinate receipt of the vaccination for this population.
  • Week of Feb. 1: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 70 and up following the same process outlined above.
  • Week of Feb. 1: Vaccinations will also be available for personnel in Ohio schools. Currently, 96 percent of public school districts have committed to returning to school at least partially in-person by March 1. Schools committed to at least partially returning to in-person by March 1 have been designated a local Educational Service Center as a working partner. Additional details will be confirmed this week between the working partners and school districts. School districts are also choosing a retail pharmacy partner, secured by the state, or an existing local partnership, to administer the vaccinations to school personnel. 
  • Week of Feb. 8: Vaccinations are anticipated to begin for those ages 65 and up following the same process outlined above.
  • Week of Feb. 15: Ohioans with high-risk conditions who do not have a developmental or intellectual disability will be eligible to receive the vaccination. Additional information on how these individuals can choose to receive their vaccines is forthcoming.
  • The Coronavirus Vaccine FAQ remains a good place to find information. 
  • Gov. DeWine also announced that the state is purchasing 2 million at-home, rapid COVID-19 tests using telehealth services where the results are delivered in minutes without the need to send the test to a lab for processing. Developed by Abbott, BinaxNOW is an easy-to-use antigen test that detects the virus when people are most infectious.
  • Lastly, Gov. DeWine sent a letter to President Joe Biden at the beginning of the week, urging his Administration to take action in Ohio’s fight against COVID-19 and issues that arose as a result of it. The governor outlined nine problems with which Ohio needs help.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: The following rules are open for comments until Feb. 10:
  • Rule 5101:2-47-09 - Case record requirements for Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM).
  • Rule 5101:2-47-12 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM): Initial determination of program eligibility and reimbursability.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-13 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM): Legal responsibility requirements.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-14 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM): ADC-relatedness.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-15 - Foster care maintenance program reimbursability: authorization for foster care maintenance and auxiliary payment reimbursement.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-16 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program: Reimbursable placement settings.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-19 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program reimbursability: payments, reimbursements, graduation expenses and personal incidentals.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-20 - Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM) program: Supplemental reimbursements for the cost of care for the child of a Title IV-E recipient parent.
  • Rule 5101:2-47-23 - Beginning date of reimbursability for the Title IV-E foster care maintenance (FCM).
 
The following rules are open for comment until Feb. 11:
  • Rule 5101:2-38-01 - Requirements for PCSA case plan for in-home supportive services without court order.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-04 - PCPA requirements for completing the semiannual administrative review.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-05 - PCSA case plan for children in custody or under protective supervision.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-07 - PCPA case plan for children in custody or under court-ordered protective supervision.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-09 - PCSA requirements for completing the case review.
  • Rule 5101:2-38-10 - PCSA requirements for completing the semiannual administrative review.
  • Rule 5101:2-39-01 - Removal of a child from the child’s own home.
 
Clearance: The following rules are open for comment until Jan. 25 (note that some of the proposed changes are in response to the new Kinship Support Program):
 
The following rules are open for comment until Jan. 29:
  • Rule 5101:2-45-01 - Administration of the Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program.
  • Rule 5101:2-45-02 - Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program eligibility.
  • Rule 5101:2-45-03 - Reimbursement for Title IV-E candidate for family first prevention services (FFPS) program.
  • Rule 5101:2-45-04 - Traditional Candidate for Title IV-E foster care.
 
Filed with JCARR: The following rules were original-filed on Jan. 15:

The following rules were original-filed on Jan. 20:
  • Rule 5101:2-42-90 - Information to be provided to caregivers, school districts and juvenile courts; information to be included in individual child care agreement.
  • Rule 5101:2-48-18 - Provision of information to a prospective adoptive parent matched with a specific child.
  • Rule 5101:2-48-21 - Child study inventory.
Resources and Clips
Resources
Behavioral health workforce development trainings
The Ohio State University College of Social Work, with support from OhioMHAS, has released an updated calendar of free continuing education opportunities for social workers, counselors, and chemical dependency professionals. Register for one or more of the following trainings:

Register for '2021: What Are We Taking With Us, and What Are We Leaving Behind?'
Fostering Media Connections and Binti are offering a webinar Jan. 28 at 1 p.m. where child welfare leaders will discuss how the transformational year of 2020 changed child welfare practice and policy. Register here.
Panelists include:
  • David Hansell, Commissioner of the Administration for Children’s Services, New York City
  • Tom Rawlings, Director of the State Division of Family and Children Services, Georgia
  • Tony Lodge, Vice President, Sun Scholars
  • Barrett Johnson, Director of Business Development, Binti

Facebook discussion on suicide prevention Feb. 2
The Ohio Council of Behavioral Health & Family Services Providers is hosting a live Facebook discussion about suicide prevention, mental health, and support for families affected by suicide on Feb. 2 from 5-6 p.m. This is a free event, and no registration is required. The panel will be streamed live at https://www.facebook.com/sparkmediafilm.

Ohio Prevention Conference 2021 Virtual Training Series
The 2021 Ohio Prevention Conference will transition to a Virtual Training Series offered throughout the spring and summer. It is currently seeking training proposals that focus on innovations in prevention, suicide prevention, restorative justice, community change efforts, social determinants of health, behavioral health equity, transformational leadership, and student wellness in K-12 and college settings. Click here for more information.
Child Protection in the News
After two years of planning, the Mahoning County Children Services selected Nancy Walker-McCain as the agency’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. More than 100 candidates applied for the new position, which was created in June 2020.

Ohio’s plan for addressing disparities in payments made to adults caring for related children but who aren’t licensed foster parents is illegal and inadequate, according to a new filing in a federal lawsuit.

A key hunger-fighting program for Ohio children is being extended through the end of the school year. The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program was created in March to help feed children who normally receive free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program but were learning from home. Congress extended the program Oct. 1, and Ohio had to submit a new operation plan, which was just approved.

House Bill 33, which takes effect April 6, requires all social workers and veterinarians to report suspected animal abuse to authorities. The law also mandates that authorities such as animal control officers and dog wardens report animal and child or elder abuse to social services professionals, to create a system of cross-reporting.

Jan. 18 – COVID-19 exacerbates Wayne County’s top health problems – Wooster Daily Record
The coronavirus proved the most critical health issue in 2020. It also exacerbated existing community health issues, such as mental health, drug abuse and child abuse and neglect. Wayne County's rate of two or more Adverse Childhood Experiences is 26.8%, higher than the state average of 25.1% and other surrounding counties. Respondents showed a greater awareness of child abuse and neglect in the community with 34% identifying it as a major health problem.

Jan. 17 – Pandemic shortage: More foster families needed – Canton Repository
Julie and Aaron Johnson became licensed foster parents in March, just as much of Ohio was shutting down due to the pandemic.

In an effort to combat a rising number of children entering foster care, the Allen County Children Services and Coleman Professional Services have entered into a partnership to administer a program designed to improve real life situations for individuals affected by child maltreatment and parental substance use disorder.

A new partnership in Allen County will help improve the outcome of both children and parents who are affected by parental substance abuse.

Top officials overseeing child welfare at the Department of Health and Human Services say they’ve seen no solid evidence to bear out warnings that serious forms of child abuse would surge during the coronavirus pandemic.
Calendar and Job Postings
Fab. 3 | Board of Trustees Meeting
Feb. 4 | Rules Review Committee Meeting
Feb. 5 | Community Education Committee Meeting
Feb. 12 | Conference Planning Committee Meeting


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