PCSAO Weekly Update: January 26, 2026

Weekly Update: January 26, 2026

Association News

Southwest District meets

The Southwest District met on Jan. 21 and received updates from OCWTP, Board of Trustees, and PCSAO. Items of discussion for the district included number of finalized adoptions this past year, number of children in custody, current workforce shortages, successful holiday events, Ohio START, OhioRISE, best practice incentives for SFY26, foster parent recruitment, anti-human trafficking pilots, and pending legislation. The Southwest District meets again on March 18.

Legislative Committee meets

The legislative committee met on Jan. 21 for a special meeting to discuss the various provisions in HB635, Enact the Child Protection Reform Act. The discussion was a primer for the continued review at the next committee meeting on Feb. 2.

Ohio START

Save the Date: 2026 Ohio START Summit

The 2026 Ohio START Summit will take place May 4-5 at The Ohio an 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.

Ohio START award nominations open

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.

Call for presenters closing soon

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. Proposals are due Jan. 30.

Rules Update

Clearance

The following rules are open for comment until Feb. 4:

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

Filed with JCARR

The following rules were original-filed on Jan. 20 with a hearing on Feb. 24:

Rule 5180:2-5-03 - Certification of an agency to perform specific functions.
Rule 5180:2-5-18 - Waivers and variances.
Rule 5180:2-15-03 - Child care advisory council.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

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

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 open on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. and close 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. 21 – Gov. DeWine addresses human trafficking with new initiatives – Spectrum News

One of the initiatives is a pilot program that will put caseworkers with anti-human trafficking expertise in three public children's service agencies in Cuyahoga, Hamilton and Montgomery counties.

Jan. 20 – Ohio courts serve as models for helping vulnerable youth – Ohio Court News

Children involved with both the child welfare system and juvenile courts tend to be at risk for future problems in the justice system. Successes in Ohio courts to better assist these youth are being commended and shared nationally as models.

Calendar and Job Postings