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Happy New Year! We are excited to kick this year off with the release of our 2025-2028 Strategic Plan--a roadmap for empowering families and strengthening recovery over the next three years.
“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”- Albert Einstein
| | From the Field: County Highlights | | |
Clark
Based on Reach Data, Clark County START served 23% of eligible families.
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Jackson
The Jackson County START team is serving 3 families that are doing very well.
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Ross
A Ross County START parent shared a note describing what a blessing the FPM has been for her.
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Ashtabula
Children and Family Futures has now recognized Ashtabula County as a Certified Local Affiliate. Ashtabula is the nineth Ohio county to reach this milestone, reflecting their commitment to serving families with fidelity and achieving better outcomes.
| | Ohio START has released its 2025-2028 Strategic Plan, which will guide PCSAO and Ohio START leadership over the next three years as we work to serve more Ohio families and strengthen the system of care for families involved with children services due to parental substance use. | | Ohio START Summit Call For Presenters | | |
About the Summit
The Ohio START Annual Summit brings together more than 200 caseworkers, supervisors, behavioral health providers, and family peer mentors for 2 days of networking and learning how best to serve Ohio’s families facing co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use disorder. This year's Summit will take place May 4-5 at The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center, 100 Green Meadows Dr. S, Lewis Center, OH 43035.
Call for Presenters
Ohio START is calling for presenters to submit workshop proposals 1-2 hours in length for the 2026 Ohio START Annual Summit. Workshops that can be offered for CEUs are preferred. Special consideration will be given to proposals that include the following:
- Creative audience engagement strategies
- Lived experience/family voice
- Presenters with unique backgrounds
- Presenters with experience working with underserved populations
- Presenters who work on START teams
- Trainings with clearly defined target audiences
- Advanced level trainings
- Evidence-based and unique content that is not easily found elsewhere
- Focus on ethics and/or supervision
Those with first-hand experience working on START teams are encouraged to apply! Click the button below to learn more and submit a proposal. Proposals are due Jan. 30.
| | Ohio START leadership and TA's gathered for a holiday celebration to round out 2025! | | |
Butler County Success Story
Kacey successfully completed the START program at the end of October. When asked about her time with START, Kacey shared that her mental health was not in a good place when her case was first opened. Without START, she's not sure if she would be on the path of recovery. START gave her the opportunity to get sober and keep her children with her, and she has since earned several promotions at her job, along with a home for herself and her family.
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Names of START participants in this story have been changed for privacy.
Share a success story or nominate a staff member to be spotlighted in next months newsletter!
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Join the Ohio START Summit Planning Committee
Did you know the Ohio START Summit Planning Committee is accepting new members? The Planning Committee meets monthly leading up the Summit to recommend workshop topics, review presenter applications, select award winners, and much more to make the Ohio START Annual Summit a great experience for everyone. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact anne@pcsao.org. The 2026 Ohio START Annual Summit will take place May 4-5.
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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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Alumni Support Group
Ohio START graduates are invited to participate in an Ohio START Recovery Network Group to connect with fellow alumni and celebrate successes. See the flyer to learn more. Email carston@pcsao.org for more information.
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Ohio START Parent Follow-Up Survey Early Findings
The Ohio START Parent Follow-Up Survey is open and will remain available on a rolling basis. Ohio University is inviting parents who graduated from the Ohio START program 6-18 months ago to share their experiences. The survey collects feedback on what supported long-term recovery and any lasting changes in parenting practices. Responses will help improve future Ohio START programming. Participation is voluntary and confidential, and eligible respondents will receive a $25 Amazon eGift card. The survey takes about 15–20 minutes to complete. To learn more or participate, text 740-486-0065 or email webbr2@ohio.edu. View the recruitment flyer here and the informational flyer here.
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Recent Studies Advancing our Understanding of Addiction and Treatment
The Addiction Policy Forum released a list of 10 recent scientific developments shaping the field. Across the world, researchers are advancing how we address substance use disorders by understanding risk factors and patterns of use, diagnosing them early with more precision, considering comorbidities, and treating them more effectively. Together, these developments are reshaping community responses and clinical practices by informing evidence-based approaches targeting prevention, treatment, recovery, and policy strategies.
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Ohio START Data Training
The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) invites participants to register for an upcoming training on Jan. 13, 1-2:30 p.m., focused on learning how to calculate the correct ratios for Ohio START when invoicing. Anyone who is entering this information into Ohio SACWIS, completing or reviewing RMS observations or claiming expenses for Ohio START should attend the training to learn how to accurately and correctly code information in Ohio SACWIS, RMS, and CFIS. This training will provide a demonstration of the data entry to ensure compliance. See the training flyer for information about how to register.
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Adolescent Cannabis Use Webinar
PCSAs and child-serving professionals are invited to join Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) for an upcoming webinar on Feb. 11, 1-2:30 p.m. focused on adolescent cannabis use within the child welfare system. Adolescents involved in child welfare are disproportionately affected by substance use, and despite rapid changes in policy and culture, significant myths and misconceptions about cannabis persist. This session will offer a practical overview of trends in adolescent cannabis use, key risk factors, and the impacts of cannabis on youth development, along with important considerations for families, caregivers, and professionals supporting system-involved youth. Register here.
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OneOhio Recovery Foundation Grant Opportunity
PCSAs and community partners working in prevention, treatment, and recovery are encouraged to review the newest statewide funding opportunity from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, which is making up to $45.7 million available through Regional Grant Cycle 2. This grant round reinforces OneOhio’s commitment to community-driven investments that support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. Organizations may begin preparing now for the Funding Inquiry window, which opens on Jan. 14. The full Request for Proposals is available on the foundation’s grant headquarters webpage.
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Learning Community Discussions 2026
Here are the dates for 2026 Learning Community Calls for caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, and family peer mentors. Visit the training calendar below for meeting links.
- Caseworker Learning Community Calls will be held 9-10 a.m. on March 19, June 18, and Sept. 17.
- Supervisor Learning Community Calls will be held 9-10 a.m. on Jan. 15, March 19, July 16, and Aug. 17.
- Administrator Learning Community Calls will be held 9-10 a.m. on Jan. 15, April 16, July 16, and Oct. 15.
- FPM Learning Community Calls will be held 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March, 25, April 29, May 27, June 24, July 29, Aug. 26, Sept. 30, and Nov. 25.
| | | | Visit the training calendar below to register | | |
Human Trafficking: The Reality
Jan. 7, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Resilience Network
Jan. 6, 8:00-9:00 a.m.
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Quarterly Coaching Call
January 8 & 14, 9:00-10:00 a.m.
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Introduction to START for New Staff
Jan. 15, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
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Family Team Meetings
Jan. 21 & 22, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Nurturing Parenting
Jan. 26-28, 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
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The Neurophysiology of Substance Use Disorders: It's Never Enough
Jan. 29, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
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Ohio START is a program of PCSAO and an affiliate of the National START Model
Our Mission: Ohio START believes in family and the power of recovery. Our children services teams empower families affected by SUD to recover safely and together by collaborating with community partners and providing evidence-informed care.
Ohio START 2025-2028 Strategic Plan
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