Weekly Update: September 26, 2022
Conference Highlights
The 2022 conference was a tremendous success at our new venue, the Hilton Easton. We appreciate everyone who made the conference such a success, including our Conference Planning Committee, presenters, speakers and, of course, our outstanding sponsors. PCSAO presented awards to youth, families, advocates, and agency staff. Below you will find more information about each of these inspirational awardees.

We look forward to our next annual conference, Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 19-21, 2023, at the Hilton Easton.

Conference Evaluation and Training Credit
Please complete our overall conference evaluation and remember to submit your individual workshop evaluations through the WebEx app.

Training credit will be uploaded automatically to E-Track as supplemental training for conference participants who provided an accurate E-Track login ID at registration. A PDF training certificate will be emailed to each participant reflecting the number of training hours and the number of social work or counselor CEU hours where appropriate. Continuing education credits for counselors and social workers will also be uploaded to CE Broker and reflected where appropriate. Please allow six weeks for the training credit to appear in your account. CLE credit will be processed through the Supreme Court of Ohio.

If you are not an E-Track user, a Certificate of Training Credit will be e-mailed to you within 14 business days of the conference. 

Workshop Presenters
Participants benefited from 25 workshops presented by volunteer trainers and panelists. Thanks to all of you for sharing your time and expertise with the more than 550 conference attendees. Evaluation summaries will be shared with you over the next few weeks.

Keynote Speakers
PCSAO would like to thank our talented and motivational keynote speakers, Elliott Hinkle and LaShaun Carter for sharing their personal stories and reflections on how we can make the child protection system more equitable. Read more about our keynote speakers here.

Legislators of the Year
These awards recognize outstanding leadership – and action – by legislators on issues impacting children and families served by the children services system. PCSAO was honored to present this year's awards to Rep. Tavia Galonski of Ohio's 35th House District and Rep. Susan Manchester of Ohio's 84th House District. Read about the 2022 Legislators of the Year here.

Child Advocate of the Year
This award recognizes an outstanding advocate for children and families, someone who embodies a spirit of determination for enhancing our system by improving the outcomes we achieve for those we serve. This award has recognized individuals and organizations that have partnered and advocated with PCSAO to impact the state budget, legislative changes, lead new program implementation, and or provide a strong voice for change. PCSAO was honored to present the award to Robin Reese, Executive Director of Lucas County Children Services. Read more here.

Families of the Year
These awards recognize families who are making a difference in the lives of children involved in the child protection system. They may be foster or adoptive families, kinship caregivers, or primary or biological families who have dedicated their lives, opened their homes, and overcome challenges to ensure safety and permanence for children. Read about our 2022 Families of the Year awardees here.

Leaders of Tomorrow
This year we reimagined our Rising Up and Moving On awards and renamed them Leaders of Tomorrow. We want to recognize youth who had contact with our system and who, despite their circumstances, demonstrate growth, resiliency, and leadership. Read about our 2022 Leaders of Tomorrow awardees here.

Outstanding Agency Staff
PCSAO’s staff awards recognize a caseworker, a supervisor and a support staff at a public children services agency who go beyond expectations and achieve extraordinary outcomes for children and families through their work in the agency and in the community. Read about our Outstanding Agency Staff awardees here.

Thanks to all our sponsors!


Thanks to ODJFS for being our Conference Partner!


Thanks to our World Champion Sponsor


Thanks to The Buckeye Ranch for sponsoring the conference!
A huge thanks to all of our conference sponsors! We could not have done this without you! Check out our 2022 conference sponsors here.
Ohio START
Ohio START to launch introduction webinar
Ohio START will launch the Introduction to Ohio START for behavioral health providers Sept. 29, 9-11 a.m. This two-hour training provides an overview of Ohio START and critical aspects of cross-system collaboration. Behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment providers currently working with Ohio START are encouraged to attend. Visit our training site for more information: Training and Assistance | OH START (ohiostart.org)
Rules Update
Clearance: The following rules are open for comment until Oct 5:
  • Rule 5101:2-53-01 - Definitions Related to the Indian Child Welfare.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-02 - General Provisions of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).
  • Rule 5101:2-53-03 - Determination of Indian Status, Tribal Eligibility and Membership.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-04 - Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Notice.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-05 - Voluntary Agreement for Temporary Custody of Indian.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-06 - Emergency Removal and Involuntary Custody of Indian.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-07 - Permanent Surrender or Parental Consent to Adoptive Placement of Indian Children.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-08 - Placement Preference of Indian Children describes the requirements of PCSAs and PCPAs.
  • Rule 5101:2-53-09 - Procedures for the Transfer of Indian Children to a Tribal Court, a Tribal Title IV-E Agency or an Indian Tribe with a Title IV-E.

Filed with JCARR: The following rule was final-filed on Sept. 16 with an effective date of Oct. 1:
  • Rule 5101:2-33-70 - Statewide automated child welfare information system (SACWIS) access.

The following rules were original-filed on Sept. 19 with a hearing date of Oct. 25:

The following rules were original-filed on Sept. 20 with a hearing date of Oct. 25:
  • Rule 5101:2-51-03 – Payments for the adoption assistance connections (AAC) to age twenty-one.
  • Rule 5105:2-51-02 - Eligibility for the adoption assistance connections (AAC) to age twenty-one.
  • Rule 5101:2-51-01 - Administration of the adoption assistance connections (AAC) to age twenty-one.
Calendar and Job Postings
Oct. 5 | Board of Trustees Meeting
Oct. 6 | Rule Review Committee Meeting
Oct. 7 | Community Education Committee Meeting

Note: Some meetings are being held via web and others in-person.
View the full calendar for details.
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