OCWTP meets

The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program State Steering Committee met Aug. 12 to hear updates from stakeholders and preview the revised OCWTP operations manual and bylaws. Upcoming website projects and retreat planning were also covered. The September meeting was rescheduled to Sept. 10, and the committee will be polled to determine a date for the October retreat.

Levy Boot Camp outlines campaign challenges in anti-tax environment

The Community Education Committee hosted its annual levy boot camp Aug. 14. Greg Sowinski of Allen County Children Services and Matt Starkey of Athens County Children Services laid out the current landscape of tax-reform efforts and messaging strategies, along with the mechanics of Facebook advertising. More than 50 individuals attended. The recording and slide deck are available upon request (scott@pcsao.org).

Ohio START completes quarterly consortium meetings

Ohio START held its second Quarterly Consortium Meeting last week, wrapping up the two August meetings. The meeting had a great turnout, with strong participation and discussion around working relationships, evaluation efforts, and childcare programs and resources available to Ohio START families. Attendees were highly engaged throughout the meeting and expressed interest in continuing conversations around these topics in the future.

Clearance

The following rules are open for comments until Aug. 27:

• Rule 5101:9-7-01 - PCSA financing.

Filed with JCARR

The following rules were original-filed for recission on Aug. 10 with a hearing on Sept. 10:

• Rule 5180:2-5-10 - Child records.
• Rule 5180:2-5-16 - Consideration to be given to child's religion, beliefs and practices.
• Rule 5180:2-5-17 - Discharge summary.
• Rule 5180:2-5-22 - Recommendations for initial foster home certification.
• Rule 5180:2-5-32 - Occupancy limitations and accessibility.
• Rule 5180:2-5-35 - Foster Youth Bill of Rights.
• Rule 5180:2-7-10 - Care of a foster child under age two.
• Rule 5180:2-7-12 - Site and safety requirements for a foster home.
• Rule 5180:2-7-15 - Transportation.

The following rules were original-filed for recission on July 31 with a hearing on Sept. 3:

• Rule 5180:2-5-09.1 - Background checks for college interns, subcontractors, volunteers, employees, board presidents, officers, administrators and foster caregivers.
• Rule 5180:2-9-02 - Staffing requirements.
• Rule 5180:2-9-03 - Staff development and evaluation.

About the conference

The 2026 PCSAO Annual Conference brings together more than 500 child protection professionals and advocates from around Ohio for three days of networking and learning how best to serve children and families. Join us Sept. 30-Oct. 2 to connect with change-makers across the state and reinvigorate your practice. The conference features inspiring keynotes; awards recognizing outstanding staff, families, youth, and partners; networking opportunities; and CEUs for social workers, counselors, marriage & family therapists, and attorneys. The theme, “Resilient Together: Wellness in Child Protection,” recognizes that strengthening the capacity of staff to support themselves and one another will ultimately lead to stronger teams and improved outcomes for families. Registration is now open through Sept. 18. Learn more on our conference website and contact anne@pcsao.org with any questions.

Sponsorship opportunities

Sponsors benefit from face-to-face networking, brand promotion, and more! Review the available sponsorship packages and benefits in our sponsorship flyer. Contact lisa@pcsao.org with any sponsorship questions.

Amnoni Myers is the Founder and CEO of Launch Ahead, a trauma-informed platform designed to support youth in foster care as they transition into adulthood through clear pathways, organized documentation, and guidance that reduces system barriers. They are also the Founder of You Are The Prize, LLC, a speaking and consulting platform focused on healing, leadership, and systems change, and the author of the best-selling memoir You Are the Prize: Seeing Yourself Beyond the Imperfections of Your Trauma. Amnoni brings both lived experience and professional expertise to their work. They hold a Master of Public Administration and have served in national policy spaces, including internships on Capitol Hill and at the White House. Their trainings and keynotes equip child welfare professionals with practical, trauma-informed strategies that strengthen engagement, reduce burnout, and support workforce wellness and sustainability.

Jim Still-Pepper recently retired after 37 years as a social worker at Allwell Behavioral Health Services, Inc. His mission is to create clear and healthy thinking. He served as Director for the Community Based Clinical Services team for much of his tenure. His focus was on getting community mental health services out of the center and into the community. He worked with youth, families and family-serving organizations. He is currently the Director of The Learning Lab for Quality Moments Behavioral Health, where he develops training for the clinical team. In addition to his clinical work, Jim is the founder of Still Light Seminars LLC, a motivational training and consulting company. He delivers about 150 presentations each year, captivating audiences across the United States and internationally. His presentations are known for being engaging, interactive, and grounded in real-world application — the kind that leaves people not just inspired, but ready to try something new the very next day.