Membership meets

PCSAO’s executive membership met for its first meeting of 2025 March 6-7. In addition to association updates, the agenda featured timely information on qualified immunity, immigration, and federal action, along with updates about adoption subsidy negotiation, children with developmental disabilities, and the biennial state budget. Department officials from Medicaid, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Developmental Disabilities, and Children and Youth shared their vision for the final two years of the DeWine Administration.

Board of Trustees meet

The PCSAO Board of Trustees met virtually on March 5 and approved several financial items including the revised 2024 financial report, January 2025 financial report, adding a new member to the Finance Committee, revised 2025 budget, expanded benefits for members, and updated financial policies and procedures. The Board also approved the 2025 annual conference theme and several legislative bills. The Board discussed SFY26-27 budget bill (HB 96) and received Association updates. The Board of Trustees meets in person on April 2.

OCWTP hosts conference for trainers

The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program hosted its annual Trainer, Coach and Producer virtual conference March 3. The keynote address and workshop session provided concrete and expert advice to help trainers, coaches, and producers improve their training content, learner engagement, and transfer of learning.

Treatment Foster Home Pilot county partnerships showcase progress

Leaders from the county treatment foster home pilot project gathered March 7 to provide updates on their progress toward finalizing policies, hiring staff, recruiting and certifying foster families, and placing children in those homes instead of in congregate care settings. All 10 original county partnerships were represented (one new partnership formed more recently), and a representative from Gov. Mike DeWine’s office was on hand to hear about the difference the partnerships are making.

Ohio START

Save the Date: 2025 Ohio START Summit

The 2025 Ohio START Summit will take place May 13-14 at Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center near Columbus. This event brings together more than 200 caseworkers, supervisors, behavioral health providers, and family peer mentors for networking and learning how best to serve Ohio's families struggling with co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use disorder. Registration is anticipated to open in March. Learn more on the event website. Please contact anne@pcsao.org with any questions.

Award nominations open through April 1

Each year, Ohio START recognizes agency staff and partners for their service to Ohio families. For the first time, Ohio START will also honor an Ohio START Family of the Year. Those working on START teams are encouraged to nominate outstanding Ohio START caseworkers, supervisors, family peer mentors, community partners, and families to be honored during the 2025 Ohio START Summit. See here for information about who is eligible for each award and to submit a nomination. Nominations are due April 1.

Sponsor the Ohio START Summit

The Ohio START Summit is a great opportunity to reach Ohio professionals serving families affected by substance use and child maltreatment. Sponsors can benefit from face-to-face networking, brand promotion, and more! Learn more about the available sponsorship levels and sign up here. Space is limited. Sponsorships will close April 14.

About the conference

The 2025 PCSAO Annual Conference: "45 Years of Impact: Celebrating Progress and Innovation" will take place Oct. 1-3 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, inviting children services professionals from around Ohio for 3 days of learning, networking, and celebrating past accomplishments while looking ahead to the future. Please contact anne@pcsao.org with any questions.

Presenter application now open!

PCSAO is now accepting presenter applications for the 2025 PCSAO Annual Conference. PCSAO is seeking unique workshops 1-3 hours in length that can be offered for social work/counselor CEUs and/or CLEs. Preview the application. Learn more and complete the application here. The deadline to apply is May 1.

Request for training topics

In order to provide the most valuable and relevant content, the PCSAO Conference Planning Committee is seeking recommendations for training topics that are not currently offered through OCWTP or easily accessible elsewhere. Your suggestions will help tailor the conference to better meet the needs of those working in the field. Submit a training idea here.