PCSAO Weekly Update: February 9, 2026

Weekly Update: February 9, 2026

Association News

Board of Trustees meet

The PCSAO Board of Trustees met Feb. 4 and approved December 2025 financial report and several legislative items. The Board received their annual update on PCSAO’s portfolio, reviewed the final agenda for the Executive Membership Meeting being held on March 5-6, discussed the Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants, provided input into proposed changes to OCWTP, and received updates on two grant opportunities, property taxes, federal updates, rules committee, market rate analysis progress, OB/SACWIS interface, Ohio START, and PACT. The Board will meet next on March 5.

Community Education Committee meets

Child Abuse Prevention Month in April was the topic of the Feb. 6 Community Education Committee, with Renee Whitfield of the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund sharing statewide planning. Other topics included Wear Blue, foster care recruitment, and levy campaigns. The next meeting will be March 13 (second Friday instead of first) and will feature an overview of the Summit County Children Services staff ambassador program.

Rules Committee meets

The rules committee met on Feb. 5, and DCY staff provided updates on Kin-Specific Certification, Chapter 5 & 7 rules, and an open discussion on KGAP. Internally, PCSAO presented legislative committee updates and discussed various hot-button issues brought by the committee. The committee meets next on March 12.

Legislative Committee meets

The legislative committee met on Feb. 2 and received updates on multiple bills, including HB532, HB371, and HB571. There was a continued review of HB635, identifying key areas of interest and next steps. The committee meets next on March 16.

Ohio START

Ohio START holds first Consortium Meeting of 2026

Ohio START held the first of two virtual Quarterly Consortium Meetings which included program and evaluation updates, along with thoughtful discussions on recovery and employment supports.

RFP for Family Peer Mentor TA 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.

Sponsorships opportunities

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 comments until Feb. 20:

Chapter 9 Residential Facility Rules

Filed with JCARR

The following rule was final-filed on Feb. 4 with an effective date of Feb. 14:

Rule 5101:9-7-08 - Title IV-E agreements between ODJFS and county juvenile courts.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

Spoerl announces retirement from Adopt America Network

After 25 years of service, Wendy Spoerl has announced her intention to retire as President of Adopt America Network (AAN) in Toledo. Spoerl and AAN have a long history of collaboration with PCSAs, and Spoerl has been a longtime leader on the Ohio Adoption Planning Group. There is no set timeline for her departure, as she will remain in her role throughout the search process and will support the onboarding of the next President. PCSAO is grateful for her leadership and innovation. The position posting is available here.

Help shape future statutory changes for DCY programs

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is beginning early planning for potential statutory proposals for the SFY 2028-2029 budget process. As part of this effort, DCY is inviting partners and stakeholders to share ideas for Ohio Revised Code (ORC) changes that could improve the administration of DCY programs and better support children, families, and providers.

DCY is particularly interested in feedback on:

Statutory language that creates barriers or unintended consequences
Areas where statute may be unclear, outdated, or inconsistent with current practice
Opportunities to improve efficiency, alignment, or service delivery

Stakeholders may submit multiple suggestions, including proposed changes to more than one ORC section. Submit your feedback here by March 31.

HHS brief shows slow uptake by states for Title IV-E prevention services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a brief focused on the Title IV-E Prevention Program, exploring how states, territories, and Tribes have been engaging in the program since it began. The brief, "Title IV-E Prevention Services Make Up Less Than Two Percent of Overall Program Expenditure Reimbursement Claims: Many States Do Not Claim Expenses at All," highlights the Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse process, as well as information from jurisdictions’ prevention plans and claimed expenditures.

ACF launches new public dashboard on state child welfare performance

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) recently launched a new public dashboard showing state-by-state performance data on critical child safety and permanency outcomes. Previously, these seven performance indicators were only shared internally within the Children's Bureau and state systems. ACF will update the dashboard bi-annually to provide consistent information of states’ progress. As states join ACF’s new Program Improvement Plan, additional data on key measures will be updated monthly.

HHS announces new medications eligible for prevention services reimbursement

HHS and ACF announced this week that three U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved Medications for Opioid Use Disorder have been added as prevention services eligible for funding under Title IV-E. ACF sent this Dear Colleague letter and provided sample program language. Read the announcement here.

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.

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.

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

Feb. 4 – Independent state review says children services 'met or exceeded' requirements prior to Toledo teen Kei'mani Latigue's death –WTOL11

Lucas County Children Services (LCCS) "met or exceeded" its requirements prior to the death of Toledo teen Kei'Mani Latigue, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (ODCY) found in an independent review of the agency's involvement.

Feb. 4 – More data about Ohio court cases accessible in expanded dashboards – Court News Ohio

Interactive dashboards that produce visual data on cases and caseloads from courts across the state have been enhanced by the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Feb. 4 – After months of juvenile probation, kids show progress — reinforcing why more time with probation officers matters – Cleveland Plain Dealer

A teenager who spent months on an ankle monitor at his own request to avoid reoffending is now preparing to complete supervision and possibly start college.

Feb. 3 – Lima Exchange Club donates to Children Services – Lima News

The Lima Exchange Club made a $2,000 donation to Allen County Children Services, a donation given thanks in part to support from the Lima Eagles 370 Charity Foundation.

Jan. 30 – Valentine's card drive brings joy to foster children with 6,500 heartfelt messages – ABC 6

The 4th Annual Valentine's Day Card drive for children in foster care has concluded, showcasing the Richland County community's compassion and generosity.

Jan. 29 – Skyrocketing child placement costs put the squeeze on Athens County Children Services – The Athens Messenger

Athens County Children Services (ACCS) is slipping into the red as a result of rising travel and child placement costs. The agency saw deficits of $2.2 million in 2023, $1.78 million in 2024 and $1.28 million in 2025, according to financial data provided to The Messenger by ACCS.

Calendar and Job Postings