A quick rundown of Ohio child protection news this week
Weekly Update for October 14, 2019
Association Updates

Multi-System Youth programs announced Oct. 8
New MSY programs—funded at $31 million in SFY 2020 — were announced on Oct. 8. More information is available from Gov. DeWine’s press release , an OFCF memo for MSY technical assistance and funding , and a draft rule , in Clearance through Oct. 24. 

The MSY programs include:
  • State-Level MSY Program ($8 million in SFY 2020): Developed jointly by the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) and ODJFS, this state-level program will provide technical assistance and financial assistance to children, youth and families with complex multi-system needs. The aim of the program is to prevent custody relinquishment of children and youth solely for the purpose of obtaining needed treatment, to assist local entities with obtaining services that support children and youth who have been relinquished, and to provide support for youth transitioning back to community and/or non-custody settings. Beginning Oct. 9, families, through their County FCFC, were able to apply for technical assistance and direct financial aid to cover costs associated with a child’s or youth’s care. 
  • Ohio Family and Children First (OFCF) Action Plan Shared Services and Sustainability Planning: A total of $1.5 million will be transferred from ODJFS to the Ohio Family and Children First Council for the following purposes: 1) Shared services and sustainability planning: $1 million to create, improve, and sustain effective collaborative, cross-system service delivery at the local level; and 2) Training and technical assistance: $500,000 to support training and technical assistance needed for local infrastructure development.
  • Funding for PCSAs: $20 million will be allocated to PCSAs, in accordance with section 5101.14 of the Revised Code, to support the costs of care for children in custody of the agency who are placed in congregate care facilities, and to prevent the relinquishment of custody to a PCSA for the sole purpose of the child obtaining access to needed treatment.
Award winner hired in Stark
Stark County JFS reports that Aaron Schreffler, a primary parent who received one of PCSAO’s 2019 Family of the Year awards, has been recruited to serve as a HOPE parent partner. Aaron will train in the coming year and then be brought “on board” as a parent partner after his training. Stark JFS is especially excited with the possibility of having a male as part of its HOPE program.

Rules updates
Pre-Clearance: As of Oct. 13, no children services rules were in pre-clearance.

Clearance:   Draft rule 5101:2-54-01, Multi-System Youth, is currently in clearance through Oct. 24. This rule describes how the full $25 million MSY investment in ODJFS line item 523 will be spent, including the $3.5 million which will go to ODM for the State-Level Program and the $1.5 million which will go to OFCF—both noted above. 

Filed with JCARR: As of Oct. 13, no additional children services-related rules were filed with JCARR. 
Announcements and Resources

Thanksgiving dinners scheduled for current, former foster youth
ACTION Ohio has announced its four regional early Thanksgivings for foster care teens (ages 14+) and alumni (ages 18+):
1) NE Ohio Thanksgiving in Cleveland:
Nov. 2, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saint Ignatius High School, 1911 West 30th St., Cleveland, OH 44113
*Parking is available next to the Breen Center on Lorain Ave.

2) SW Ohio Thanksgiving in Cincinnati:
Nov. 16, 1 – 3 p.m.
Junior League of Cincinnati’s Columbia Center, 3500 Columbia Pkwy, Cincinnati, OH 45226
*Street parking and parking lot nearby

3) SE Ohio Thanksgiving in Athens:
Nov. 17, 1 – 4 p.m.
Ohio University, Grover Center
*There are parking meters and a large parking lot nearby

4) Central Ohio Thanksgiving in Columbus:
Nov. 24, 1 – 4 p.m.
eStem Academy, 8579 Summit Road, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
*Lots of free parking on-site. Look for the balloons to find the right entrance.

Center releases county-by-county look at status of women
Exactly how women are faring in Ohio varies by county, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis by the Center for Community Solutions. In its new "Status of Women" factbook , the Center examined data from Ohio's 88 counties on women in key areas of life, including health, economic status and educational attainment.

OCTF announces early childhood initiative funding
The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund, in partnership with Ohio Department of Health, has announced an Early Childhood Safety Initiative Funding Opportunity. The funding available through this Request for Grant Applications will support parent education and the provision of concrete safety-related support items for TANF-eligible families with the overall goal of decreasing risk factors related to infant and child mortality, and potentially preventing injury-related deaths. Eight or more grant awards, between $10,000 and $50,000, will be issued. Interested organizations should click here to find additional information and application instructions. Applications must be received by Oct. 30, and selected applicants will be notified by Nov. 20.
Child Protection in the News

Mahoning County Children Services is looking to change that through a series of ... All of Ohio's 88 counties are currently in a state of crisis. Children ...

The state is setting aside $31 million to support families whose children have complex behavioral health needs and require help from multiple systems. The pot includes $8 million in direct aid so that parents won't have to surrender custody to get the treatment and services their children need.

State Representative Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) has been named the Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) ...
Upcoming Events

Oct. 17 | Northwest District Meeting
Oct. 18 | East Central District Meeting
Oct. 18 | Conference Planning 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 .
Public Children Services Association of Ohio | 614-224-5802 | www.pcsao.org
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