LCCS Launches

Community-wide Survey

Lucas County Children Services has launched a community-wide survey to help align our operations with current best practices.

Randall Muth, J.D., LCCS executive director, says the goal of the survey is to bring agency operations into closer alignment with community needs, particularly around family stability.

"Families today face greater challenges than even a decade ago, with the Covid pandemic, the rise in substance abuse, and economic hardships leaving a lasting impact on families' ability to achieve stability and protect their children from abuse and neglect," he explains.

All county residents are encouraged to participate in the survey, 
which is available in both English and Spanish.

Survey responses will be collected and managed by Sylvania-based independent consulting firm Mays & Associates. Individual responses will remain confidential and will not be released to LCCS. We will share only summarized findings and themes to guide improvements, strengthen accountability, and ensure our work reflects community expectations and lived experiences. 

Lucas County Children Services 
Joins Ohio in 'A Home for Every Child' Initiative

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families (ACF) Assistant Secretary Alex J. Adams that Ohio will join ACF’s 'A Home for Every Child' initiative to improve outcomes for children in foster care. >> LEARN MORE

To the Point 

LCCS executive director Randy Muth and foster care recruitment supervisor Sherry Dunn were the guests this past week on Doni Miller's To the Point on WGTE Public Media. They discussed the positive changes that LCCS is making to become more responsive to community needs, and the community's need for more foster parents. 

The program can be viewed online at:

https://www.wgte.org/television/local-programs/to-the-point-with-doni-miller

Watch and listen for LCCS representatives on other local news and feature programs and podcasts.

Lucas County residents 
— we’re excited to connect with you 
in new ways! 

Lucas County Children Services is now on LinkedIn and Instagram. 
Follow us to stay updated on the work we’re doing to support children and families in our community, learn about career opportunities, and see how you can get involved.

Join us online and be part of the conversation. Together, we can make a difference for Lucas County’s children.

Follow us today!

LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucascountychildrenservices/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/lucascountychildrenservices/

A Prayer

for Foster Care 

The Lucas County Children Services Recruitment Unit is inviting churches across Lucas County to join us in a month-long campaign of prayer and partnership for children and families involved in foster care. Through this faith-based call to action, we are asking congregations to lift up foster parents who open their homes, foster children who need safety and stability, biological parents working toward reunification, and members of our staff as we continue seeking more families willing to answer the call to foster.

The need for foster homes remains urgent, and faith communities can play an important role in supporting recruitment efforts while encouraging and uplifting current foster families. Prayer may seem simple, but it is a powerful act of support, and when paired with awareness and community engagement, it can help inspire action.

National Foster Care Month also reminds us that caring for vulnerable children is a shared community responsibility. By engaging churches and community partners, we hope to strengthen support for families already involved in foster care and help identify new families who may be called to serve.

Throughout May, we encourage our staff, partners, and community members to join us in this unified effort. Be a Part of Their Story. Together, through faith, advocacy, and action, we can continue building a community where every child has the opportunity to be safe, supported, and loved.

PEI Takes Parenting Classes

A Step Further

The LCCS Parent Empowerment Institute (PEI) offers weekly parenting classes to help moms, dads, and caregivers gain skills to raise children in a more positive and safe way.

A PEI session held in late April took the participants from just parenting to thinking more about their futures.

A guest speaker from the University of Toledo's Career Services Department provided valuable guidance and practical tips to help attendees build strong, effective resumes. Attendees also discussed ways to further their education. PEI provided information on earning a GED, enrolling in college coursework, and local certification programs, which can lead to better, more stable employment or career opportunities.

According to PEI Coordinator Andrea Carmona, the stresses of parenting go well beyond how someone raises their children. Financial literacy, educational attainment, and building a stable, rewarding career all play roles in reducing the stress and worries of creating a safe, secure family home.

“Most parents want to be able to go to work, pay their bills, and provide for their family. Partnering with UT allowed us to expose our families to the same knowledge and resources that college graduates get when it comes to creating resumes and the skills needed for gaining employment," Andrea explained. "Attendees were able to ask questions about furthering their education, how to apply the skills they have now to get better jobs, and the importance of networking.”

As parents attend the 11-week PEI program, strong bonds develop among the participants. Parents share experiences and exchange strategies for raising their kids. The expert-led classes offer practical parenting guidance that helps caregivers navigate every stage of child development.

Interested in taking a PEI course or making referrals to the program?

Complete the interest form at this link:

https://lucaskids.net/parent-empowerment-institute/

Graduation 
is Around the Corner!

May 31 will be a happy day at Lucas County Children Services, as the agency celebrates 22 youth who are graduating from high school or a GED program. For some of the students, earning a diploma was a Herculean task that required overcoming academic, social, mental health and financial roadblocks. They persevered and are ready to start nw chapters as young adults. Graduates have a variety of plans for the future – employment, trade school, college, or just living independently.

The May 31 celebration takes place at noon, as the grads cruise the streets around the LCCS offices at Summit and Adams Streets in decorated cars.

Talk to a Foster Care/Adoption Recruiter!

Saturday, May 16, 2026 @ 9:30 AM

Claire’s Day Maumee

501 River Road, Maumee, OH 43537

Friday, May 22, 2026 @ 5:30 PM

Home 4 Good 5K Run

Levis Commons Town Center

3201 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg, OH 43551

Friday, June 12, 2026 @ 3:00 PM

Q105 Toledo Eric’s Throwback Skating Party

Glass City Metropark Ribbon

1505 Front Street, Toledo, OH 43605

Saturday, June 13, 2026 @ 12:00 PM

Career and Health Fair

Woodward High School

701 E. Central Ave., Toledo, OH 43608

Navigating the child welfare system 
can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.

Do you need help finding the right person or department to answer your child welfare questions? LCCS now offers a Family Help Center. Our helpful Child Welfare Navigators can listen to your concerns, review your case, and determine if any recommendations should be made, as a result.