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During September, START teams across Ohio hosted and participated in events raising awareness for SUD and celebrating healing. Though National Recovery Month has come to an end, Ohio START remains steadfast in its commitment to providing year-round support for families on the path to recovery.
"People can be redeemed, renewed, restored, repurposed, & WE DO RECOVER." - Laurel, START Family Peer Mentor, Medina County
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From the Field: County Highlights | |
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Warren
Warren County is in process of completing Self-Assessment as first step in Certification Process.
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Clinton
The Clinton START team reviewed essential components.
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Coshocton
The Coshocton START team was proud to successfully close a case this month.
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Sandusky
A Sandusky parent has achieved 6 months of sustained sobriety and reunified with their children.
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Summit
Summit has successfully completed the Desk Review process for certification and held the last of their focus group interviews.
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A Look Back At National Recovery Month | |
Sandusky Artisans Recovery Community Center (SARCC) hosted it's 10th Annual Recovery Walk in Sandusky, Ohio. Chris Ruff (SARCC Program Director) and Kerry Desmarais (Erie County START FPM) spoke at the event. Ohio START was honored to attend the event. Jennifer Millisor (Regional Manager) and Mo Mercer (Ottawa County START FPM) are pictured above. | |
The Sandusky County START team (Meagan Myers-supervisor, Alicia Mulligan-caseworker, and Rachel Mitchell-FPM) attended an overdose awareness event. | |
The Brown County START Team represented their agency at a Recovery Month event. | |
On Sept. 27, Mahoning County facilitated a community event providing an overview of START and Plans of Safe Care. The event was well attended and included a testimonial from a current START parent. | |
What does recovery mean to you? | | |
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"For me Recovery has been a process…. Learning to love myself… Finding my internal fortitude… Forgiveness for myself… Creating Memories with my family… Recovery is remembering that every day is an opportunity… Never let anyone throw you away!... People can be redeemed, renewed, restored, repurposed, & WE DO RECOVER."
- Laurel, START Family Peer Mentor, Medina County
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Recovery means new life, emotional healing, joy among the chaos, breaking statistics, stopping generational curses, and flowers that grow in the concrete cracks
-Nichole Worthington, START Family Peer Mentor, Warren County
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The 2023 PCSAO Annual Conference, which took place Sept. 19-21, featured three workshops presented by Ohio START. Awards were presented to two outstanding START workers and a START family. To learn more about the conference and the award winners, see our conference webpage.
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Presentations by Ohio START | |
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"Let's Get Motivated: Building Hope for Change" presented by START TAs Kathi Kurtz and Carly Mesnick.
This interactive presentation explored how to use Motivational Interviewing to inspire change and build hope for recovery.
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"Intersection of Substance Use and Child Protection" presented by Jen McClellan, Ohio START regional manager.
This presentation provided an overview of SUD and its impact on the Ohio child protection system.
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"Small Things are Big Things: The Value of Connection and Collaboration when Serving Families Affected by SUD" moderated by Jennifer Millisor, Ohio START Regional Manager and presented by Angie Mueller (Allen County FPM), Karmen Lauth (Allen County Supervisor), Jill Gosche (Seneca County Coordinator) and Toby Adkins (Allen County Coordinator).
Team members shared their experiences with engaging families through seeking and sharing resources, celebrating successes and supporting families through their recovery journeys.
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PCSAO Support Advocate of the Year:
Kerry Desmarais, Erie County
Kerry tirelessly supports individuals with substance use disorders, offering encouragement and unwavering support. She shares her personal experience to inspire hope in families navigating the child welfare system and works diligently to connect clients with essential community resources, making a significant impact in her three years as a START Family Peer Mentor. Read more about Kerry's impressive work here.
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PCSAO Family of the Year: Jennifer Barbera & Family, Trumbull County
Jennifer's journey involved escaping an abusive relationship, battling addiction, and navigating foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer's determination and support from the children services team ultimately led to her successful reunification with her daughter, and she now empowers others as a START Family Peer Mentor. Read more about this exceptional family here.
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PCSAO Child Advocate of the Year: Aimee Clemson, Ashtabula County
Aimee, a START caseworker and a single mother in recovery, has become a passionate advocate for children and families affected by addiction. She testified before legislative committees, securing critical funding for children services and Ohio START, demonstrating resilience and inspiring change through her personal journey. Read more about Aimee's journey and outstanding advocacy efforts here.
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Charles and Kassandra's Story
In Jan. 2022, Charles and Kassandra embarked on a journey towards recovery from addiction. After their child tested positive for substances at birth, Athens County Children Services intervened, resulting in their daughter entering foster care. At the time, their older children were already with other family members. Initially resistant to inpatient treatment, Charles and Kassandra changed course upon realizing the seriousness of their fentanyl use. Since Feb. 18, 2022, they have remained substance-free, completing detox and inpatient programs. Kassandra continued with intensive outpatient treatment, while Charles regained a supervisory role at work. They are regaining custody of their older boys and have arranged for family friends to adopt their expected child, recognizing their own limitations in parenting. Successfully completing their case plan goals, they now enjoy a substance-free life with their daughter.
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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.
Interviews can be over the phone or via video conference call.
If you are co-parenting, each parent that completes Ohio START can participate and receive a gift card.
Your participation is voluntary.
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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Attend Upcoming Learning Community Discussions
Learning Community Calls will be held quarterly for Behavioral Health Workers, Caseworkers, and Administrators. The Zoom calls will be held on the same date and time, the third Thursday of the month, from 9:00-10:00 a.m. The same link will be used for all learning community calls.
Here is the upcoming schedule:
- Oct. 19: Caseworkers
- Nov. 16: Administrators
Calling all caseworkers
Please join us Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84753110112
Calling all supervisors
Please join us Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. for the Supervisor Learning Community Call that is open to both PCSA and BH supervisors participating in Ohio START. Register here.
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Visit the training calendar below to register | |
Screening and Intervention of Substance Use Disorders (UNCOPE)
Oct. 6 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Family Toolkit: Genograms, ecomaps, and more!
Oct. 11 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Motivational Interviewing: Applied Skills Learning Community
Oct. 13 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
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Family Team Meetings: Facilitator Skills
Oct. 17 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
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Trauma-Informed Resiliency-Oriented Supervision
Oct. 18 from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Introduction to START for New Staff
Oct. 19 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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Supervisor Professional Learning Community
Oct. 19 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
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Trauma & Resilience: Identifying children, parents and families at risk
Oct. 20 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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