PCSAO Weekly Update: January 21, 2025

Weekly Update: January 21, 2025

Association News

East Central District meets

The East Central District met on Jan. 17 and honored Kate Offenberger, Carroll County, and Nikki Harless, Richland County, who are retiring at the end of this month. The district received updates from Board of Trustees, PCSAO, and Eastern Ohio Regional Training Center. The district discussed a variety of items including placement challenges, workforce shortages, levies scheduled to be on the ballot this year, succession plans, lame duck bills related to children services, SFY26-27 budget priorities, upcoming Executive Membership Meeting, Ohio START, PACT, Kinnect, and legal challenges. The district is scheduled to meet next on April 18.

Southwest District meets

The Southwest District met in Warren County Jan. 15 to hear a presentation from OSU doctoral candidate Megan Albright on her research project, “Factors Influencing Caseworker Decisions about Family-Centered Interventions for Postpartum Parents in Child Welfare,” and from Butler County’s Shannon Glendon on the innovative Training Wheels new worker onboarding. Updates were provided by regional training center and state training vendor staff, trustees, and PCSAO. County updates included discussion of common issues such as technology, Ohio START, referrals from social media, and fleet management. The district meets next on March 19.

Conference Committee begins planning for 40th annual conference

The Conference Committee met Jan. 17 to select a theme for the 40th annual PCSAO conference, Oct. 1-3, 2025. In preparation for the call for presenters to open next month, the committee also discussed possible speakers and workshop topics. The committee meets next on Feb. 21.

We're hiring: PCSAO seeks Initiatives Manager

PCSAO is seeking a full-time Initiatives Manager to manage the early-stage installation and implementation efforts of COSTARS (CrOss System Technical Assistance for Retaining Staff) for Ohio START (Sobriety, Treatment, and Reducing Trauma) and PACT (Practice in Action Together). The hybrid position offers remote work opportunities while also requiring work in PCSAO’s downtown Columbus office. Review the full position description. A cover letter and resume must be submitted using this portal.

Ohio START

Ohio START Summit Planning Committee meets

The Ohio START Summit Planning Committee met Jan. 14 to discuss swag ideas and narrow down workshop topics and keynote speakers. The committee meets in-person on Feb. 11.

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.

Call for presenters closing soon!

Ohio START is seeking proposals for unique and energizing workshops targeted towards child protection, peer support, and substance use treatment professionals. We are especially interested in workshops featuring local presenters and panel discussions. Workshops that can be offered for CEUs are preferred. The deadline to apply is Feb. 3. Apply here.

Rules Update

Clearance

The following rule is open for comments until Jan. 21:

Rule 5101:9-7-29.1 - Public Children Services Agency (PCSA) local contributions

Filed with JCARR

The following rule was original-filed on Jan. 14 with a hearing on Feb. 14:

Rule 5160-27-13 - Mobile response and stabilization service

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

DCY Tuesday Times

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth shares updates and other pertinent information pertaining to children services and other program areas in their Tuesday Times newsletter. To view previous versions of the Tuesday Times, click here.

Casey Family Programs announces national awards

Casey Family Programs has announced the recipients of its 2025 national Casey Excellence for Children Awards. Presented annually, these awards honor individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership and dedication to enhancing the lives of children and families engaged with the child welfare system. View the 2025 award recipients here.

A Way Forward webinar series

The National Alliance for Parent Representation, a multidisciplinary parent representation steering committee within the Center, started a new series titled "A Way Forward." This series hopes to introduce national practices, programs, and ideas that have lifted and utilized family voice effectively to improve family legal representation and advocacy. Learn more and register here.

Child Protection in the News

Jan. 14 – Area foster care agency expanding – WHIZ

The need for foster care is not a new concern but is one that continues to grow. Journey Home Foster Care Executive Director Charity Wheeler recently apprised the Muskingum County Commissioners to work the agency has been providing within the community.

Jan. 14 – Ohio Governor signs child well-being bill, supporters look ahead to budget for funds – Ohio Capital Journal

A measure that aims to help improve child outcomes in Ohio has been signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine.

Jan. 14 – Foster parents needed: Training sessions available to help Lucas County kids – WTOL

Lucas County Children Services offers several ways for interested individuals to become foster parents and provide care to children in need.

Jan. 13 – Wood County CRC receives funding to support efforts to fight addiction – Sentinel Tribune

The Wood County Children's Services Association, doing business as Children's Resource Center (CRC), has received funding to support addiction prevention and treatment efforts. “Across Ohio, organizations like CRC are working day in and day out to address these critical issues,” the article noted.

Jan. 11 – Foster care youths to get Valentine's Day cards – Mansfield News Journal

Richland County Children Services, in partnership with Mansfield United Lions Club and the City of Mansfield Parks & Recreation Department, is organizing a program to ensure foster care youths receive Valentine’s Day cards.

Jan. 10 – Helping the most vulnerable – The Intelligencer

“That surprises a lot of people,” said Scott Britton, assistant director of the Public Children Services Association of Ohio, regarding public misconceptions about the child welfare system and ongoing efforts to support Ohio's most vulnerable children.

Calendar and Job Postings