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Happy new year! Looking ahead for 2024, we look forward to welcoming a seventh cohort, the certification of additional counties as Certified START Affiliates, providing the training and technical assistance START counties need, and most importantly, serving more families and keeping kids safe.
“The magic in new beginnings is truly the most powerful of them all.” ― Josiyah Martin
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From the Field: County Highlights | |
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Portage
The Portage START team welcomes new FPM, Megan Strebler.
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Ottawa
Ottawa County completed the Self-Assessment in preparation for upcoming certification.
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Mahoning
Emily Martz joins Mahoning County as their new START supervisor.
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2024 Ohio START Summit
May 2, 2024
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Save the date!
The 2024 Ohio START Summit will take place May 2 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 a day of 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.
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Call for Presenters
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. 1-1.5 hours workshops that can be offered for CEUs are preferred. The deadline to apply is Feb. 12. Apply here.
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Fairfield County Achieves Certification | |
Congratulations to Fairfield County Job & Family Services on completing their certification review to become a Certified START Affiliate! Certification in the START model shows that the county is serving START clients with model fidelity which leads to better outcomes for families while keeping child safety a priority. Fairfield is the fourth county in Ohio to achieve certification. | |
Gallia County Mourns the Loss of Team Member | |
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Gallia County is mourning the sudden loss of Moneka (Minnis) Jones, a dedicated member of their START team. Moneka worked at Integrated Services of Gallipolis and had been a peer in Gallia since the county began START. Moneka was passionate about helping others and made a difference in so many lives through her work. She was loved by many and will be missed by her colleagues in Gallia County.
Ohio START extends condolences to Moneka's family and loved ones, as well as the entire Gallia County START team, during this difficult time.
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Seneca County Celebrates Successful Completion | |
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Seneca County START is celebrating its third successful completion. The team and community partners gathered to honor the family and their efforts to complete START requirements. Seneca County START has served 11 families and continues to grow.
"We are grateful to be able to partner with so many great agencies in our community to help families who struggle with addiction to get sober and to safely care for their children,” said Kathy Oliver, director of Seneca County Department of Job and Family Services.
Pictured is Jennifer Schumacher, Protective Services administrator, speaking during the celebration.
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Employee Spotlight & Success Stories | |
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Success Story, Sandusky County
Sandusky County recently celebrated their first START graduate, Zoe! Zoe struggled with addiction since a young age and relapsed shortly after the birth of her son. With the support of her START team, Zoe was able to achieve sobriety and regain full custody of her son. She now works to help other struggling with substance use.
Success Story, Coshocton County
Coshocton County's oldest START case is closing with success! Due to lack of progress on the case plan early on, the agency had filed for permanent custody. Once the agency filed, the mother began to work the case plan and the agency changed the court filing. The START team stepped up their contact with the mother and the foster parents worked hard to support her. The child has been reunified with the mother and the agency plans to discontinue legal involvement in January.
Share your success story to be featured in the next newsletter here.
Nominate an Ohio START staff member to be spotlighted here.
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Please Share Upon Completion of Ohio START
You can now participate in a phone interview study about your experience. If you participate in an interview from Ohio University or Ohio State University, you will receive a $75 gift card.
If you are co-parenting, each parent that completes Ohio START can participate and receive a gift card. Your participation is voluntary. Interviews can be over the phone or via video conference call.
To schedule an interview text or call: 740-486-0065
Each interview will last approximately 45 minutes.
Or email: OhioSTART.parentinterview@gmail.com
IRB Number: 19-F-40
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Ohio START Job Postings
Do you have an open Ohio START position? Please send the details of your open positions to christine@pcsao.org to post on the Ohio START website.
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Save the Date: Ohio's 2024 Mental Health & Addiction Conference
Save the date for Ohio’s 2024 Mental Health and Addiction Conference: Building the Systems of Care hosted by OACBHA, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and the Ohio Department of Health on June 3-4 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Columbus. Previously known as the Opiates and Other Addictions Conference, this two-day conference will focus on efforts related to mental health, opiate and other addiction prevention, education, intervention, treatment, recovery, family supports, community engagement, and more.
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Kinnect to Family Update: North Expansion
Kinnect to Family is currently in the process of expanding their Kinnect to Family-Ohio START partnership to the Northern region, which brings Kinnect to Family statewide! With over 15 years of child welfare experience, Monica McLeod will be the specialist serving this region. Specialist Chloe Peterson continues to serve the Southern region. Kinnect to Family is grateful for the opportunity to work in collaboration with START teams to serve more families in unique and enhanced ways. The Southern region is currently open for referrals and, Kinnect to Family welcomes the opportunity to meet with any teams that would like the Kinnect to Family-Ohio START program to serve their respective counties.
For more information, contact Program Manager Shannon Ward at Shannon.Ward@kinnectohio.org or view Kinnect to Family program details at www.kinnect.org.
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Learning Community Discussions 2024 Schedule
Here are the 2024 dates for Learning Community Calls for caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, behavioral health workers, and family peer mentors. Please note that future dates are subject to change.
Caseworkers
Calls will occur on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:00 a.m. Here is the Zoom link. Calls will be based on county size, divided into the following three groups: Metro/Large, Medium, and Small.
- Metro/Large call: Jan. 17, April 17, July 17, Oct. 16
- Medium: Feb. 21, May 15, Aug. 21, Nov. 20
- Small: March 20, June 19, Sept. 18, Dec. 18
Supervisors
Calls will occur bi-monthly on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The dates are as follows: Jan. 18, March 21, May 16, July 18, and Sept. 19. Here is the Zoom link.
Administrators
Calls will occur quarterly on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The dates are as follows: Feb. 15, May 16, and Aug.15. Here is the Zoom link.
Behavioral health workers
Calls will occur quarterly on the third Thursday of the month from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. The dates are as follows: Jan. 18, April 18, July 18, and Oct. 17. Here is the Zoom link.
Family peer mentors
Calls will occur monthly on the last Wednesday of the month from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. The dates are as follows: Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26, July 31, Aug. 28, Sept. 25, Oct. 30, and Nov. 27. Here is the Zoom link.
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Visit the training calendar below to register | |
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Family Toolkit: Genograms, ecomaps, and more!
Jan. 9 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Fentanyl
Jan. 12 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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The Role the Family Plays in Human Trafficking: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Jan. 17 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Introduction to START for New Staff
Jan. 18 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Motivational Interviewing: Applied Skills
Jan. 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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Screening and Intervention of Substance Use Disorders (UNCOPE)
Jan. 22 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Foundations 3: Behavioral Health Treatment Provider Strategies
Jan. 23 & 24 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Trauma and Addiction: Fire and Ice
Jan. 26 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Ohio START is a program of PCSAO and an affiliate of the National START Model
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, equity, and redemption.
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