A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week
Weekly Update for June 10, 2019
Association Updates

2019 PCSAO conference updates: Sponsorship, exhibit tables, awards
T he 2019 PCSAO awards will be presented at luncheon ceremonies during the conference. All nominations must be submitted by June 30. Download the  Youth and Family Awards Nomination Packet  and the   Professionals Nomination Packet . All nominations must be e-mailed to [email protected] , and nominators will be notified of the outcome by the end of July (staff nominees remain secret until the conference).

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 [email protected] 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.
 
Board of Trustees meets
The PCSAO Board of Trustees met on June 5 and approved May 1 meeting minutes and April’s 2019 financial report. Danny Brenneman, Board Treasurer, shared that PCSAO successfully passed its 2018 audit with no concerns or findings, including the single audit. This is a huge accomplishment for the Association given key financial personnel changes that occurred at the beginning of the year. The Board expressed much gratitude to Patricia Harrelson, Trustee, for her leadership with PCSAO and Richland County Children Services and discussed the need for the East Central District to vote for a Trustee replacement at its July meeting. The Board reviewed the upcoming Executive Membership agenda and received updates pertaining to priorities, state budget, legislation and rules. The Board will meet next on Aug. 7. 
 
Behavioral health stakeholder meeting
The departments of Medicaid (ODM) and Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) held a Behavioral Health Stakeholder Update and Discussion on May 29. ODM Director Corcoran and OhioMHAS Director Criss spent the day highlighting efforts their departments are undertaking with stakeholders that participated in person or via webinar. Such highlights included updates on behavioral health redesign, the SUD 1115 waiver, behavioral health care coordination, multi-system youth, and managed care plan procurement. Materials, including a link to the recorded webinar, can be found here under the “5/29 Stakeholder Resources” tab.
 
Designation of Authorized Representative Form in Traverse
The EDMS Project Team, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM), has announced the addition of the ODM 6723 – Designation of Authorized Representative as an available form within Traverse. When completing the ODM – Designation of Authorized Representative form within Traverse, the associated content type will be ROI – Medical Release of Info . PCSAO extends appreciation to ODJFS, ODM, and the EDMS Project Team for elevating this request as a high priority. The purpose of this form is to improve care coordination for a patient across multiple medical providers by making it easier to share protection health information in a secure manner. The form is applicable to all covered entities in Ohio, including with the managed care plans. It is not required to be used, but a properly executed form must be accepted by the receiving entity. For more information about the form, click here ; to view a fact sheet, click here ; and to view a webinar about the form, click here .
 
Levy boot camp helps counties prepare for upcoming campaigns
Many thanks to Ann Ream of Summit County Children Services and Kevin Milliken of Lucas County Children Services for leading the Community Education Committee’s annual levy training June 7. The two-hour recorded webinar is available to member agencies upon request. The Aug. 2 meeting will take place by conference call only. The Oct. 4 meeting will continue training on video production, and the Nov. 8 meeting will cover how to train caseworkers and other in-house staff on their role in communications and community relations; both meetings will have in-person (Columbus) and call-in options. Contact [email protected] to join the group list.
 
Rules update
Rules in Pre-Clearance: Click here to review and comment on the following rules currently in pre-clearance:
  • Through June 20: Chapter 5101:2-42-18 PCSA and PCPA approval of placements with relative and nonrelative substitute caregivers. This rule is in pre-clearance due to potential impact of the National Model Foster Home Licensing Standards.
No children services-related rules are in either clearance or filed with JCARR.
Announcements and Resources

JFS HRA covers multiple roundtable issues
At its first business meeting of the year June 5, the Job and Family Services Human Resources Association celebrated the success of its HR Boot Camp in March, pondered more frequent training, discussed various HR management systems, and covered a number of roundtable discussion topics. The next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 4 in Delaware.
 
Anti-human trafficking update
Registration is open for the 16 th International Human Trafficking & Social Justice Conference taking place Sept. 19-20 at The University of Toledo. This conference brings together researchers, practitioners, and individuals with lived experience to share new developments in addressing human trafficking in social services, health care, and criminal justice.
Child Protection in the News

June 8 - Governor calls START life-changing - The Daily Advocate -Toledo Blade
“The feedback we've heard from our county children services agencies has been overwhelmingly positive,” Ohio Department of Job and Family ...

The governor has also called for additional investment for county children's services as they deal with the effects of the opioid crisis; financial aid for ...

A bill aimed at streamlining state foster care training in hopes of increasing capacity of an overburdened system passed the Ohio House unanimously Thursday.
 
The Ohio House of Representatives voted unanimously Thursday to add flexibility to state foster-care training requirements.

June 6 - $11M Grant to Focus on Opioid Epidemic, Workforce - Youngstown Business Journal
Over the next two years, the state of Ohio will invest $11 million to help employers and unemployed workers overcome issues related to the opioid epidemic.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine Tuesday spoke at the Inaugural Ohio Sobriety, Treatment and Reducing Trauma (START) Summit that brought together Ohio START caseworkers, supervisors, administrators and family peer mentors involved in the pilot program. Governor DeWine launched this innovative program in 2017, during his time as Ohio Attorney General, with a mission of helping entire families impacted by child maltreatment and parental substance abuse disorders.

U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH) on May 23 cosponsored a bipartisan bill that would incentivize employers around the nation to hire youth transitioning from the foster care system. Sen. Portman introduced the Improved Employment Outcomes for Foster Youth Act, S. 1651, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include foster care transition youth as members of targeted groups for purposes of the work opportunity credit, according to the congressional record.
Upcoming Events

June 14 | Conference Planning Committee Meeting
June 27 | Executive Membership Meeting
June 28 | Executive Membership 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

"Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality."
-Malala Yousafzai 
Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 | www.pcsao.org
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