A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week
Weekly Update for July 8, 2019
Association Updates

Ohio START seeks to fill several positions
PCSAO is looking to build its Ohio START team to continue to support the program as it expands across the state. PCSAO has posted several positions, the details of which can be found below:
  • Program Manager: PCSAO seeks a program manager to assist with the management and implementation of the Ohio START program. In this role, the program manager will focus on the oversight and management of technical assistance required and provided to Ohio START grantees. The Ohio START Program Manager will create regional technical assistance hubs, recruit and manage personnel providing direct technical assistance to the grantees and work closely with our national START partners to ensure technical assistance meets model fidelity. In addition, the Ohio START Program Manager will assist the Director of Ohio START with general program management and community collaboration. You can view the position description here and submit your resume, cover letter and three professional references through the application form no later than July 22.
  • Technical Assistance Consultants: PCSAO seeks 5 regional technical assistance consultants to assist with the implementation and sustainability of the Ohio START program by providing direct technical assistance to Ohio START grantees. The consultant will be responsible for providing technical assistance including adhering to model fidelity and enhancing collaboration among community partners in one of the five Ohio START regions. This is a part-time position and will report to and work closely with the Ohio START Program Manager and other staff as identified. This position will require travel, mainly in an assigned region and to Columbus for meetings. It is estimated that the consultant will work 20-25 hours per week. You can view the position description here and submit your resume, cover letter and three professional references through the application form no later than Aug. 5.
  • Family Peer Mentor Consultant: PCSAO seeks a Family Peer Mentor Consultant to assist with the recruitment, certification and management of the Ohio START program’s family peer mentors. The Ohio START Family Peer Mentor Consultant will work with the Director of Ohio START and Ohio START Program Manager to aid local Ohio START grantees to recruit, train and certify family peer mentors. This is a part-time contract position that will report to and work closely with the Ohio START Program Manager and other staff as identified. This position will require travel, possibly across Ohio, to provide technical assistance to Ohio START grantees. It is estimated that the consultant will work 20-25 hours per week. You can view the position description here and submit your resume, cover letter and three professional references through the application form no later than Aug. 5. 
2019 PCSAO conference updates: Sponsorship, exhibit tables
The PCSAO annual conference is an unrivaled opportunity to network with more than 500 children services professionals from across the state. This year’s conference theme is “ Champions for Children and Families,” and the focus of the conference will be improving child protection best practices and supporting the children services workforce. The audience includes child protection caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, attorneys, directors and advocates. Sponsorship registration is now open, along with exhibitor registration. To learn more about the various sponsorship and exhibitor packages and to register, click here . If you have any questions or would like more information about these opportunities to support the child welfare community, contact nitina@pcsao.org or by phone at 614-224-5802. Opportunities for sponsorships and exhibit tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis., so register early, but no later than Sept. 1.

Spotlight on Sub. House Bill 33, animal abuse reporting requirements 
Sponsored by Rep. Laura Lanese (R-Grove City/Columbus) and Rep. Sarah Carruthers (R-Hamilton), Sub. HB 33 establishes companion animal abuse reporting requirements for licensed veterinarians, social services professionals, and licensed counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. In addition, the bill requires animal control officers to report abuse of a companion animal to an appropriate social service professional when 1) the officer has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that the abuse has occurred or is occurring, and 2) the officer has knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect that a child or older adult resides with the alleged abuser. Finally, the bill adds dog wardens, deputy dog wardens, and other persons appointed to act as animal control officers to the list of mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.  
 
Sub. HB 33 provides an opportunity for animal protection and human protection – both child protective services and adult protective services – to work together to help families and prevent future violence. For many of our agencies, this is already built into their practice. For others, this legislation will provide a framework and the impetus for doing the same.  For these reasons, PCSAO supports Sub. HB 33 and will monitor the bill closely as it continues to progress through the House Criminal Justice Committee.

Helping Ohio Parent Effectively (HOPE) update
Participating HOPE counties are identifying the challenges encountered when setting up and maintaining parent engagement practices. All HOPE counties have incorporated the use of parent partners (peer mentors) in their approaches, and much of the work has revolved around recruiting, training and maintaining the mentors.

Rules update
Rules in Pre-Clearance: As of July 3, no children services-related rules were in pre-clearance.  
 
Rules in Clearance: A draft Fiscal Administrative Procedure Letter, 8336 Kinship Caregiver Funding Update, is in Clearance until July 16. The letter outlines how ODJFS plans to issue funding for the program, including the methodology and allowable activities. You can view and comment here .
 
Rules filed with JCARR: The following rules were original-filed on July 2 with a public hearing date of Aug. 5. Note that these rules are reviewed for the five-year review process; in addition, several are being amended to reflect provisions of the Family First Prevention Services Act related to substance use disorder residential facilities. You can read a summary of the proposed changes here .    
  • 5101:2-42-04:Authority to assume and retain custody of a child 
  • 5101:2-42-05: Selection of a placement setting 
  • 5101:2-42-08: Acceptance of temporary custody by agreement and court-approved extensions 
  • 5101:2-42-09: Acceptance of permanent custody by permanent surrender 
  • 5101:2-42-18.1: Non-discrimination requirements for foster care placements 
  • 5101:2-42-64: Preplacement services 
  • 5101:2-42-65: Caseworker visits and contacts with children in substitute care 
  • 5101:2-42-67: Preparation of lifebook 
  • 5101:2-42-68: Necessity for continued substitute care placement: court reviews and hearing requirements 
  • 5101:2-42-70: Provision of services to unmarried minor parents 
  • 5101:2-42-71: Approval of adult-supervised living arrangements 
  • 5101:2-42-87: Termination of substitute care and custody of a child 
  • 5101:2-42-88: Requirements for substitute care placement disruptions 
  • 5101:2-42-92: Parent, guardian or custodian visits with a child in temporary custody 
  • 5101:2-42-93: Procedural requirements regarding change of placement or visitation plan prior to journalization of case plan 
  • 5101:2-42-95: Obtaining permanent custody: termination of parental rights 
  • 5101:2-49-05: Determination of the adoption assistance monthly payment amount: Note: this rule was re-filed on July 2 to rescind the existing rule and re-file the new rule. The public hearing occurred on May 21.   
Click on the rule number to go to the Register of Ohio website for details about the rule filing. 
Announcements and Resources

OCWTP releases 2018 annual report
In its 2018 annual report released last week, the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program celebrates “Advancing Excellence in Learning.” Accomplishments include meeting federal CFSR standards for quality; improving practice in casework, foster care and substance abuse; and applying learning science to amplify learning. The program served more than 79,000 participants (seats filled) and offered nearly 5,000 learning events. Read more.
 
ODE hires new foster care point of contact
Alexandra Nardo has joined the Ohio Department of Education as the foster care state point of contact in that system. An Ashtabula County native, Alexandra has experience with Teach for America in Chicago and as a classroom teacher in Columbus. She replaces Thomas Capretta, who has taken a new role at the department. Like Tom, Alexandra can help county agency education leads connect with school districts in order to fulfill responsibilities under the Every Student Succeeds Act . You can reach Alexandra at Alexandra.Nardo@education.ohio.gov .
Child Protection in the News

Office of U.S. Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown
Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined first responders in Cincinnati following a recent spike in drug overdoses in southwest Ohio. Local officials believe that fentanyl has played a major role in the recent overdose spike. Brown has led efforts to help Ohio communities as they continue to battle the addiction crisis. In May, Brown introduced the Family First Transition and Support Act, which would increase investment and support for child welfare as Ohio counties struggle to make sure children are cared for, especially in light of the addiction crisis.
Upcoming Events

July 11 | Rules Review Committee Meeting
July 12 | Conference Planning Committee Meeting
July 15 | Legislative Committee Meeting

Employment Opportunities

Looking for a career in child protection? Or a new position to challenge yourself? Check out the latest job openings in child protection .
Quote of the Week
Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 | www.pcsao.org
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