June 2022 Newsletter

Director's Corner

June is National Reunification Month! I want to recognize people and efforts that make it possible for families to stay together. It is also a time to celebrate the families who have overcome obstacles to provide a safe and loving environment for their children. Thank you again for making the 4th Annual Ohio START Summit a success. I would especially like to thank all the engaging presenters. We hope you enjoyed the Summit and gained new knowledge that will enhance the vital work that you do with the families that you serve.   “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” — Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Fawn

Ohio START is Rated Supported Practice

We are excited to announce that START is now rated Supported in the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Clearinghouse. START is rated as a supported practice because at least one study carried out in a usual care or practice setting achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution and demonstrated a sustained favorable effect of at least 6 months beyond the end of treatment on at least one target outcome. More Information

From the Field: County Highlights

Lucas A mother who is now 6 months sober is able to keep her children in her care with the help of Ohio START. Gallia The Ohio START Team successfully closed three START cases. Ashtabula A START graduate was hired as the new Family Peer Mentor.

Congratulations to Ashtabula County

Ashtabula County Children Services START Direct Service Team was given an Above & Beyond Award at our 2022 It Takes A Community luncheon for all of their hard work and dedication during these challenging and difficult pandemic years. We are proud of what Ashtabula County START Team has been able to do over the past two years. The START team has been dedicated to helping families and children affected by substance use since they began in the Spring of 2019. Ashtabula County have the support of their member agency’s directors and CEOs who regularly attend their Steering Committee meetings and allow their staff to attend our monthly Direct Service Team meetings—even in a pandemic! The Direct Service Team continued to provide intensive case management and needed supports to families while trying to manage their own safety in the midst of COVID-19 protocols. Over the past two years, Ashtabula County continued to safely maintain children with their families and assist participants in achieving sobriety. Since accepting their first participant in 2019, over 70 children have safely remained in their parent’s custody while working towards sobriety. Children Services could not have achieved this alone, and it is only because of the START team that they are able to keep these families together and thriving.

Welcome Madeline Beal, LSW

Madeline Beal, LSW is a MSW student at The Ohio State University and the Ohio START intern. Madeline received her BSW from Ohio State in 2019 and began her social work career at the Buckeye Ranch immediately following graduation. She has gained a variety of relevant experience during the past three years. She began as a case worker/child protection specialist with PFSN managing typical ongoing cases and an independent living caseload. She then moved to the foster care department, gained her adoptions assessor certification, and worked as a licensing specialist providing training and fulfilling licensing requirements for new and existing foster families. Additionally, Madeline worked with the leadership team to tackle foster family recruitment and retention. Recently, Madeline transitioned to her current role as a foster care case manager. She works with foster families to ensure the children in their care have the necessary supports for successful futures.

Training

Visit the training calendar below to register

Screening & Intervention of Substance Use Disorders (UNCOPE) June 14, 2022 from 9 am- 4 pm Introduction to Motivational Interviewing June 17, 2022 from 9 am - 4 pm

Motivational Interviewing for Supervisors: Professional Learning Community (PLC): June 22, 2022 from 9 am. - 10 am Nurturing Parenting Refresher June 24, 2022 from 2 pm - 4 pm

Foundations 4: START Child Welfare Practices June 29, 2022 from 9 am - 4 pm Family Toolkit: Genograms, ecomaps, and more! July 6 2022 from 9 am - 12 pm

Training Calendar

Ohio START is a program of PCSAO Our Mission: We approach Substance Use Disorders with compassion, understanding and hope for recovery. We work as a team, supporting and holding each other accountable. We believe in family, love and redemption.

Please send content for the Ohio START Newsletter to Christine Morris.