Association News
Weekly Update: June 27, 2022
Governor announces $15 million for children services workforce
At PCSAO's Executive Membership meeting June 24, Gov. Mike DeWine's Director of Cabinet Affairs LeeAnne Cornyn announced $15 million for county children services agencies to recruit and retain frontline workers. Funding is being made available by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Read the news release from ODJFS. PCSAO is grateful to the Governor and ODJFS for this significant investment in children services workers. More information will be available soon.

Membership meeting hosts state department directors, new ombudsman officers
Also during the June 23-24 membership meeting, members heard updates on Family First prevention services, learned about new supports for recruiting and approving resource homes, met Youth Ombudsman Jenny Stotts and Family Ombudsman Jennifer Sheriff, learned about new and screening guidelines. Leaders from the Ohio Department of Medicaid, Aetna Better Health, and Ohio Family and Children First engaged in discussion about the nuts and bolts of OhioRISE, set to launch July 1, followed by an distinguished panel including Cornyn (see above), ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder, Medicaid Director Maureen Corcoran, OhioMHAS Director Lori Criss, and leaders from the department of Youth Services and Developmental Disabilities to problem-solve Ohio's placement crisis. PCSAO thanks all who presented at and attended this solutions-focused meeting.
Rules Update
Pre-Clearance: As of June 24, there are no children services-related rules in pre-clearance.

Clearance: As of June 24, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.

Filed with JCARR: The following rule was final-filed on June 22 with an effective date of July 5:

The following rule was final-filed on June 16 with an effective date of July 1:
  • Rule 5101:2-47-04 - Intercounty and interstate case management responsibility for foster care maintenance.
Annual Conference
About the 2022 conference
PCSAO is holding its 37th annual conference Monday through Wednesday, Sept. 19-21 at the Hilton Easton. Our theme, “As Our World Turns,” recognizes that the children services field is in the midst of many changes and it can feel like we are spinning so fast, we can’t slow down. At the same time, the theme employs lighthearted humor around soap operas.

Become a sponsor!
The PCSAO Annual Conference is an opportunity to network with more than 500 children services professionals across Ohio. See our sponsorship flyer for more information regarding sponsorship levels and benefits. See a preview of the application here. Ready to become a sponsor? Complete this form. Sponsorship closes Sept. 1.

Award nominations
Each year, PCSAO recognizes and celebrates the achievements of our youth and families who have been served by Ohio’s public children services agencies, as well as the achievements of our child protection professionals who have served them. We are now accepting award nominations from public children services agencies for the Leaders of Tomorrow, Family of the Year, and Child Protection Worker, Support Staff and Supervisor of the Year awards. Nominations are due by July 8. The 2022 PCSAO award winners will be announced during the annual conference. Local agencies will notify winners prior to the event and help make their arrangements. Read the descriptions and find nomination links on our awards page.

Thanks to our World Champion Sponsor
Resources and Clips
Resources and Opportunities
Health information technology survey opens
The Ohio Children’s Alliance, on behalf of the Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (COE), has developed a survey to learn more about health information technology utilization in children services. Responses will contribute to a report providing recommendations on addressing gaps and facilitating system improvements. It is important to understand the current type and level of HIT use in the state so that discussions of efficient and effective expansion can occur. Ohio Children’s Alliance, on behalf of the COE, is inviting county children services agencies and others to participate in important information gathering. The survey should take less than five minutes to complete. Complete the survey.
Child Protection in the News
Seven years ago, same-sex married couples gained the right to adopt children and though the need is very much there - LGBTQ families still face challenges in the road to foster and adopt. For Katie Theobald and Alison Farone, they know the journey to adoption well because they've lived it. After many classes, training, and inspections - Alison and Katie started fostering. After spending years together with three little boys, Katie and Alison officially adopted two biological brothers. However, it wasn't always this easy. Same-sex couples were not allowed to start adopting together until 2015.

June 22 – Ohio economists: Child tax credit would be a boon – Ohio Capital Journal
It would be great for Ohio children and the overall economy if Ohio were to implement child tax credits similar to the federal ones that expired at the beginning of the year. That was the overwhelming consensus in a survey published Tuesday of a panel of the state’s academic economists.
 
It would be great for Ohio children and the overall economy if Ohio were to implement child tax credits similar to the federal ones that expired at the beginning of the year. That was the overwhelming consensus in a survey published Tuesday of a panel of the state’s academic economists.
 
Tuesday's ALERT DAY signals extreme heat in the area. Lucas County Children's Services advises parents to remain aware of the dangers hot cars present to children.
 
June 20 – Protect foster children (Opinion) – Times Leader
We know Ohio is struggling with the increased demand on its public children's services agencies and foster care system. But an investigation by WBNS in Columbus shows the problem is more horrifying than most could imagine.
 
June 18 – Harrison DJFS approves plan for grant funds – Times Leader
Harrison County Department of Job and Family Services officials are pleased with the response they received to a recent survey regarding services provided through its Title XX Plan. Deputy Director Deb Knight spoke to Harrison County commissioners Wednesday about the plan and what services it will include. She said they are receiving $333,308 through Title XX funds this year.
Calendar and Job Postings
July 7 | Rule Review Committee Meeting

Note: Some meetings are being held via web and others in-person.
View the full calendar for details.
Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself?