PCSAO Weekly Update: February 2, 2026

Weekly Update: February 2, 2026

Association News

Northeast District meets

Leaders from northeastern Ohio agencies met Jan. 26 online. Updates were presented by the Regional Training Center director, PCSAO trustees and staff, and followed by county updates. Topics of special interest included HB 635, Narcan policies, Social Security/survivor accounts, current number of children in care, and KGAP. The next meeting will be April 27.

ASRC meets

The Automated Systems Review Committee met Jan. 28. Updates were provided on Traverse, kin-specific certification, two new interfaces (OPR and OHLEG), mandatory placement reviews, and Medicaid changes. Functionality of new prevention services case plan screens was demonstrated. The next meeting will be Feb. 25.

Ohio START

Ohio START releases RFP for Family Peer Mentor Technical Assistance Consultant

Ohio START is seeking proposals from Ohio-based organizations to employ and supervise a Family Peer Mentor Technical Assistance Consultant. This role will advance both the Ohio START and COSTARS (Cross Systems Technical Assistance for Retaining Staff) initiatives, supporting family peer mentors statewide and strengthening cross‑system collaboration for families affected by substance use disorders and child maltreatment. PCSAO invites qualified organizations to review the Request for Proposals. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 27.

Save the Date: 2026 Ohio START Summit

The 2026 Ohio START Summit will take place May 4-5 at The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center in Lewis Center. This event brings together more than 200 caseworkers, supervisors, behavioral health providers, and family peer mentors for networking and learning how best to serve Ohio's families affected by co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use disorder. Registration is anticipated to open in March. See the event website for more details.

Workshop proposal deadline extended!

Ohio START is seeking workshop proposals for the 2026 Ohio START Annual Summit May 4-5. We are especially interested in unique workshops targeted towards child protection, peer support, and substance use treatment professionals that feature local presenters. Workshops that can be offered for CEUs are preferred. Learn more and submit a proposal here. The proposal deadline has been extended to Feb. 6.

Sponsorships open for Ohio START Summit

The Ohio START Summit is a great opportunity to reach Ohio professionals serving families affected by substance use and child-maltreatment. Sponsors can benefit from face-to-face networking, brand promotion, and more! See the sponsorship flyer for more details and sign up as a sponsor by April 6.

Ohio START award nominations

Each year, Ohio START presents awards to outstanding agency staff and partners, as well as the families they serve. Ohio START award recipients embody the values of Ohio START and go above and beyond for their team, clients, and communities. Winners and their loved ones will be invited to join us for the awards presentation held during the 2026 Ohio START Annual Summit on May 4-5. Nominations can be submitted by public children services agencies and their staff, Ohio START team members, and partners working directly with Ohio START teams on Ohio START cases. See the flyer to learn more, and complete the nomination here by Feb. 27.

Rules Update

Clearance

The following rules are open for comment until Feb. 6:

Rule 5180:5-50-01 - Administration of Bridges.
Rule 5180:2-38-08 - Child’s education and health information.

Filed with JCARR

The following rule was revise-filed on Jan. 29 with a hearing on Feb. 24:

Rule 5180:2-5-18 - Waivers and variances.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

New SAMHSA report

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently released Youth Inpatient and Residential Treatment Psychiatric Beds, a national study that analyzed data from 2010 to 2022 across all states on the number of youth in inpatient and residential psychiatric treatment. The study found that 79 percent of states experienced a reduction in the number of youth in inpatient facilities, and 94 percent experienced a reduction in the number of youth in residential facilities. While further research is needed to understand these trends, SAMHSA says the findings highlight the need to strengthen youth mental health infrastructure, expand access to a full continuum of care, and ensure that every child and family can receive timely support.

2025 Bridges Impact Report

The Department of Children and Youth, in partnership with the Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio, released the 2025 Bridges Impact Report, highlighting the program’s success in supporting youth aging out of foster care. Since its inception in 2018, Bridges has served as a lifeline for young adults ages 18 to 21, offering critical support in housing, education, employment, and overall well-being.

Increased use of extended foster care allows more young people to benefit

During emerging adulthood, many young people continue to receive monetary and emotional support from their families, with some young adults continuing to live with their parents into their 30s. However, this transition can look very different for youth in foster care as they lose access to services or supports provided through the foster care system. To prevent this sudden shift at age 18, extended foster care provides ongoing services and supports, with the goal of easing the transition to adulthood and increasing positive outcomes such as educational attainment, employment, and housing stability. See here to read Child Trends' breakdown of extended foster care utilization in recent years and it's impact on youth ages 18 to 21.

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 opened on Jan. 14. The full Request for Proposals is available on the foundation’s grant headquarters webpage.

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.

Kinnect's KinFirst Convening

Join Kinnect for the 2026 KinFirst Convening: "Rooted in Kin, Growing Together" on March 27 in Newark. This convening will bring together advocates, practitioners, policymakers, kin caregivers, and child welfare leaders to share strategies, build community, and deepen commitment to kin-first values and supports. Learn more and register here.

Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity for Treatment Foster Homes closes

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), in partnership with the Ohio Children’s Alliance (OCA), announced the Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity for Treatment Foster Homes. This funding uses a financial incentive approach to support and retain licensed treatment foster homes serving youth involved with Ohio public children services agencies. Eligible applicants must be licensed treatment foster homes in good standing (or planning to become licensed within 90 days) and must currently have, or plan to accept, a treatment foster youth in PCSA custody. Applications opened on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. and closed on Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. Foster care worker submissions are due by Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted Learn more here.

DCY Tuesday Times

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth shares updates and other information pertaining to children services and related program areas in the Tuesday Times newsletter. To view previous versions of the Tuesday Times, click here.

Child Protection in the News

Jan. 28 – Two new programs to address human trafficking in Montgomery County – Dayton Daily News

Two new anti-human trafficking initiatives will soon be coming to Montgomery County.

Jan. 26 – Fathers building stronger connections with children is goal of Montgomery Co. summit – Dayton Daily News

The Montgomery County Fatherhood Initiative is soon hosting the 2026 Fatherhood Summit to bring together local agencies, community partners and fathers.

Jan. 26 – I-TEAM: Child welfare system concerns loom with Haitian temporary legal status set to expire in days – WHIO TV

As it stands, next week, thousands of Haitian immigrants in Clark County are set to lose their temporary ability to stay in the United States legally.

Jan. 23 – Lorain County Children Services seeks more foster parents – Chronicle Telegram

Lorain County Children Services is seeking more foster parents in an attempt to keep kids separated from their families in the county.

Calendar and Job Postings