Weekly Update: September 8, 2025 | | |
Board of Trustees meets
On Sept. 3, the Board of Trustees met in person and toured PCSAO’s new office space at 175. S Third. Trustees approved the July 2025 financial report and the 2024 990 tax form, discussed SFY26-27 budget items and property tax proposals, and received updates pertaining to legislation, rules, Ohio START, PACT, Ohio Fellowship Program, TFH pilot, and the upcoming 2025 Annual Conference. The board will meet next online Oct. 8.
Rules Committee meets
The Rules Committee met Sept. 4 and received updates from DCY on Child Specific Kinship Certification, Safety Assessments, and Chapter 42 rules. Internally the committee discussed ongoing social security benefit workgroup progress. The committee next meets Oct. 9.
CEC benefits from 'Mastering Media Relations' presentation
At its Sept. 5 meeting, the Community Education Committee enjoyed a presentation by Reba Chenoweth of Montgomery County JFS on "Mastering Media Relations in an Age of Misinformation." The committee was informed that the It Takes 100% Heart caregiver marketing campaign is winding down, shared information about summer and upcoming fall outreach events, heard updates on property tax reform and levies, and held a brainstorming session on caregiver recruitment. The committee meets for its final meeting online Nov. 7.
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Share your story, experience
Ohio START Recovery Through My Eyes: Submit your art showing what recovery means to you to Ashley Roy at ashley@pcsao.org. All ages and mediums are welcome including painting, drawing, digital art, photography, pottery, poetry, collage, mosaics, and jewelry making.
Share your story with Ohio START: Would you like to share your story with Ohio START to help inspire others? Complete the form here: https://forms.office.com/r/A1dda3fdkp
Red Ribbon Week Poster Contest for High Schoolers: https://recoveryohio.gov/home/red-ribbon-week/red-ribbon-week
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Clearance
As of Sept. 5, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.
Filed with JCARR
As of Sept. 5, there are no children services-related rules filed with JCARR.
| | 2025 PCSAO Annual Conference | | |
About this year's conference
The 2025 PCSAO Annual Conference, "45 Years of Impact: Celebrating Progress and Innovation," taking place Oct. 1-3 at the Hilton Columbus at Easton, is an exciting opportunity to share best practices, connect with colleagues, and be inspired to continue this important work. The conference draws more than 500 child protection professionals from around Ohio including caseworkers, supervisors, administrators, clinicians, attorneys, and advocates. Visit the event website to learn more. Please contact anne@pcsao.org with any questions.
Registration now open!
All are invited to register for the annual conference, offering three days of learning, networking, and celebrating past accomplishments while looking ahead to the future. The agenda is packed with more than 30 workshops to choose from, including training credits for social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and attorneys. View the full agenda and workshop offerings here. Register here by Sept. 19.
Call for gift baskets
As we have done in the past, we are collecting gift baskets to be raffled off during the conference. These gift baskets will serve to engage attendees and show appreciation for all involved. No matter what gift basket theme you choose, please be sure that your basket is family friendly (no alcohol) and appeals to a wide audience. If you are interested in donating a gift basket, please notify anne@pcsao.org by Sept. 24. Baskets can be brought directly to the conference and dropped off at the help desk.
| | Meet Our Keynote Speakers | | |
Jeremy C. Kohomban, PhD, is the President and CEO of The Children’s Village and the President of Harlem Dowling. Jeremy is a leading national advocate for reforms that prioritize family support over the use of family separation interventions. He was a primary contributor to the federal Family First Prevention Services Act, and under Jeremy’s leadership, The Children’s Village, the nation’s oldest—and once the largest—children’s residential treatment center, has been transformed into a national model for community-embedded family support.
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Stefanie Robinson is the Founding Executive Director of Hope Recovery Community (HRC), a peer-led Recovery Community Organization serving Northeast Ohio. With more than 17 years in personal recovery and over a decade of peer support and leadership experience, Stefanie has built HRC into a trusted model for trauma-informed, person-centered recovery support services. Stefanie is nationally recognized for her work advancing recovery-oriented systems of care, recovery community organizations, peer support, recovery housing, and non-stigmatizing, person-first language.
| | Resources and Opportunities | | |
YCPRT statewide expansion
Kinnect now offers Statewide Facilitators to help PCSAs launch or expand Youth-Centered Permanency Roundtables (YCPRT). YCPRTs place young people—ages 12+ who have been in custody for 12 months or more—at the center of their own permanency journey. With the support of a trained facilitator, youth lead the conversation, identify key adults to include, and build lasting connections toward both relational and legal permanency. Informational sessions will take place Sept. 23 at 9 a.m., Sept. 24 at 1 p.m., Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. and Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. to explore the values used in YCPRTs and what to expect in roundtable meetings. Learn more and register to attend the informational sessions here.
DCY Tuesday Times
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth shares updates and other pertinent information pertaining to children services and other program areas in the Tuesday Times newsletter. To view previous versions of the Tuesday Times, click here.
Building Resilient Families event
Join Ohio Grandparent/Kinship Coalition (OGKC) tomorrow, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m. for an insightful online event focused on building resilient families. During this session, discussion will focus on the challenges and rewards of kinship care, share valuable resources, and provide a supportive space for open conversations. The coalition encourages people to come together to support each other and strengthen family bonds. Register here.
| | Child Protection in the News | | |
Sept. 5 – Ross County families get new support for kinship and adoption help – Chillicothe Gazette
The Pioneer Center has hired a new kinship and adoption navigator to support families in Ross County and Southern Ohio.
Sept. 4 – Lorain County Children Services: More children ingesting cannabis edibles – Chronicle Telegram
After receiving two dozen reports so far this year of children accidentally eating their parents' legal cannabis edibles, Lorain County Children Services is trying to educate the public about keeping legal recreational drugs out of the hands and mouths of children.
Aug. 29 – Officials clarify: Construction separate from levy – People's Defender
Adams County is taking a significant step forward in its efforts to care for children by building a new dormitory behind the current Wilson Children’s Home. County leaders want the public to understand exactly how this project is being funded and to make it clear that no money from the local children’s services levy is being used.
Aug. 29 – Foster care placement costs are ballooning across Ohio – WOUB
In Lucas County, home to the city of Toledo, the cost to place children in foster care is soaring. The county pays upwards of $21 million a year to place kids in the system. That’s $9 million more than just a few years ago, said Randy Muth, executive director of Lucas County Children Services.
| | Calendar and Job Postings | | |
Sept. 26 | Conference Committee Meeting
Oct. 1-3 | PCSAO Annual Conference
Note: Some meetings are being held via web and others in-person.
View the full calendar for details.
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