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An Exclusive Publication of Mahoning County Children Services
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Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect Taken 24/7.
If you suspect abuse, report it to
Children Services.
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Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of
Mahoning Kids Matter E-Newsletter
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Welcome to the Inaugural Edition of
Mahoning Kids Matter,
the official publication of Mahoning County Children Services.
Our Inaugural Edition is packed with
exclusive Agency news, events, and highlights, along with articles on topics relevant to child welfare that may be of interest our Mahoning County community and stakeholders...because Kids Matter!
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Children Services Transitions Away From Group/Congregate Home Care for Youth
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Mahoning County Children Services’ number one priority is to provide and deliver the most cutting edge, research and evidence-based child welfare and protective services available.Like other children services agencies throughout the state of Ohio, Mahoning County Children Services will no longer provide congregate group home care residential services for youth as a direct governmental function. Mahoning County Children Services was one of 4 counties in Ohio still operating group/congregate homes for youth.
Research reveals that children in care fare far better and are better served when placed in the least restrictive and most family-like setting as possible. There may be times when there is a need or use for limited and appropriate congregate care placements within the continuum of foster care settings.
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However, placements in group home/ congregate care should be based on the specialized behavioral and mental health needs or clinical disabilities of children and should only be utilized for as long as is needed to stabilize a child so they may return to a family-like setting.
Children Services' transition away from congregate group care has been carefully developed, planned and funded.
The Agency is implementing the following strategies to safely transition from publicly-run congregate care by:
- Developing and implementing a unified strategic plan
- Emphasize leadership and workforce development
- Focus resources on prevention and early intervention
- Strengthen community-based services and reduce barriers to access
- Enhance the Agency’s treatment-focused foster care resources
- Implement a robust Kinship Program and Department
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State Recognizes Case Workers for 'Most Improved' & 'Increased' Visitation Performances
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Fifty-two Mahoning County Children Services case workers were recognized by the Ohio Office of Families and Children for “increased” and “most improved” in Visitation Compliance Percentage performance. Due to the caseworker's efforts, the agency has been awarded $31,562 for exceeding state visitation compliance requirements between October and December, the state's reporting period. The state requires child welfare case workers to attain a 90 percent or better Visitation Compliance for face-to-face visits with open cases involving children and families.
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The performance-based incentives are part of a state-wide initiative to improve the state's child welfare case worker Visitation Compliance Percentages. Ohio was measured and paid $3.8 million penalty for non-compliance with Federal Visitation Compliance Percentage measures and created a $3 million performance-based incentive fund allowing Ohio county child welfare agencies to "earn" back all of the funds by working to improve their Visitation Compliance Percentages. If Ohio fails to meet the Federal Visitation Compliance measure the state penalty will be doubled.
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New Ad Campaigns Recruit Foster & Adoptive Parents in Mahoning County
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Mahoning County Children Services is launching several ad campaigns to recruit new foster and adoptive parents. Five billboards (as shown above) will be visible in and around Mahoning County at these locations: Route 224, Mahoning Avenue, Route 46 near the Hollywood Racino, Market Street Bridge (downtown) and in Cornersburg. In addition, the same recruitment message will be seen on 27 movie screens before featured films are shown at Cinema South, Tinseltown in Boardman and the Austintown Cinema Plaza during the peak movie season September-January.In addition, the same message is also featured in a billboard in the main concourse at Eastwood Field in Niles for this year's Mahoning Valley Scrappers baseball season.
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Mahoning County Children Services, like many other Ohio counties, is in immediate and great need for new Foster and Adoptive Families especially for teens 14-18 years of age and sibling groups, emergency placements and respite breaks.
To learn more about fostering and adopting through Mahoning County Children Services, call 330.941.8888 or visit our website:
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If you have ever thought about becoming a Foster or Adoptive Parent, now is the time!
Watch our recently aired television news segment on WKBN-TV 27
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Children Services is excited to share the launch of our Official Facebook and Twitter Pages. The Agency's Facebook and Twitter Pages feature exclusive highlights, news, and events along with topics relevant to child welfare, MCCS, the Mahoning County community and our stakeholders.Follow us!
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Three Children Services Employees Retire With Combined 82 Years of Experience
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Congratulations to
Gloria Sanchez
,
Ruth Parker
and
Jerry Fordham
on their recent retirement from Mahoning County Children Services. Thank you for your many years of dedication and service to our agency, our community and the children and families you have worked with during your professional career. You have all made a positive difference in our community. We also thank you for your friendships and wish each of you a very happy retirement!
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Gloria Sanchez, 20 years of service
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Ruth Parker, 32 years of service
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Jerry Fordham,
30 years of service
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New Staff * Roles * Promotions
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Diane Foster has been promoted from Child Welfare Caseworker in the Placement Services Department to Training Officer – Child Welfare Casework Supervisor.
Congratulations Diane!
Lori Robinette has been promoted from Technical Typist for Ongoing Unit #1 to Clerical Specialist in the Placement Services Department~ Congratulations Lori!
Venus Kitchen transfers laterally from the CWCW In Training to position to a CWCW in the Abuse Unit ~ Congratulations Venus!
Erica Romeo transfers laterally from the CWCW In Training to position to a CWCW in Ongoing Unit #4 ~ Congratulations Erica!
Rose Starghill has been promoted from a full time Youth Leader to a CWCW In Training position~ Congratulations Rose!
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UPP student Nicole Mrofchak has accepted a position as a CWCW In Training in the Family Services Department ~ Congratulations and Welcome Nicole!
Gwen O’Halloran has been promoted from a Clerical Specialist to an Application Specialist in the IT Department ~ Congratulations Gwen!
Nicole Davis will begin her new duties of Lead Caseworker in the Abuse Unit. ~
Congratulations Nicole!
Matt Amatore has been promoted to the Technical Specialist position in the IT Department. ~ Congratulations Matt!!
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Phillips Awarded "2016 MSW Student Social Worker of the Year"
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Jeff Phillips, MSW,
Supervisor, Residential Unit, Mahoning County Children Services, recently graduated with a Masters in Social Work. Phillips was awarded the "2016 MSW Student Social Worker of the Year" by the Ohio Chapter IV of the National Association of Social Workers.
In addition, Judge Theresa Dellick, Mahoning County Juvenile Court also recognized Phillips for his outstanding service and support to Mahoning County high school youth and the Juvenile Court.
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Children Services Hosts High School Graduation Party for Foster Care Youth
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Mahoning County Children Services 2016 High School Graduation Party Planning Committee
(Pictured from left to right: Sarah, Becky, Cynthia, Jennifer, Natalie and Suzie, Karey (not pictured).
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Winner of Newsletter Naming Contest
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Kudos to Christine Powell, Mahoning County Children Services, the winner of the Agency-wide "Name the E-Newsletter Contest." A majority of Children Services staff voted in favor of:
Mahoning Kids Matter. Over 65 name ideas were submitted by staff for staff vote.
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Foster Parents Celebrated & Recognized at
'Night of Stars' Event
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(left to right) Willie Pearl Stevens, Dawn McGee Taltoan, Carolyn and Nicholas Harvey
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Jeanette Dubos, Victoria Palmer and
Joan Benson
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George and Katrina Harris
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Diane Foster, Mahoning County Children Services strolls the red carpet with Leonardo DiCaprio and Denzel Washington.
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Toni Saccomen, Angela Kingsley, Joann Hagerty
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The gourmet cupcake table was a
hit!
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The Red Carpet was rolled out for the Annual Mahoning County Children Services Foster Parents Recognition Event. Every May, the agency hosts an appreciation dinner to thank and recognize current Foster Caregivers for providing unconditional support, security and love to our County's most vulnerable children. May also marks National Foster Care Month.
The event also featured a special presentation “Mahoning County Children Services:
Through the Years: Our Proud Past, Present & Promising Future.
focusing on the Agency’s long legacy and over 100 years of of service to Mahoning County children and families.
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Children Services Board: New Faces & Roles
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Local Youth
Spends
“Three Days on the Hill”
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The Future is Young:
Gabriel Young stops to take a photo with the U.S. Capitol Building in the backdrop during "Three Days on the Hill."
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Gabriel Young, 18, of Austintown and a statewide group of adolescents and young adults who've experienced foster care, attended "Three Days on the Hill." The annual trip to the nation's capital is designed to give foster youth leadership development opportunities, teach national policy and the legislative processes, and educate lawmakers about the foster-care system. Young has lived in over 20 foster homes and has persevered despite these and many other challenges to become an articulate and passionate voice for foster care youth.
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Pinwheels Symbolize Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention
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A Sea of Pinwheels:
Each year Children Services throughout the nation "plant" pinwheels during the month of April in honor of "National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month." Pinwheels are the national symbol for Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention. 1,379 Pinwheels were planted in Boardman Park this past April and represent the reported cases of child abuse and neglect in 2015 for Mahoning County.
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Pinwheel Planters: Master Sgt. Doug Moon and 22 East High School Junior ROTC students planted 1,379 pinwheels in the front lawn of Boardman Park on a very blustery April afternoon.
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Caring Students: Dobbins Elementary Students plant Pinwheels to raise awareness of Child Abuse Prevention! (pictured: Michael, Mary, Evalyn, and Sammie). Dobbins Elementary School is the Mahoning County Children Services' "2016 Community Spotlight Award" for demonstrating continued generosity, dedication and community service to Children of Mahoning County. Each year Dobbins students collect new winter apparel coats, hats, gloves, mittens and donate to Mahoning County Children Services during the Holidays.
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The Honorable Robert N. Rusu, Jr., Judge, Mahoning County Probate Court was the Keynote Speaker for 2016 Pinwheels for Prevention Community Event held at Boardman Park.
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"Sniper," President, Bikers Against Child Abuse, Erie Shores Ohio Chapter recited the organization's powerful Creed to protect children from additional abuse at the 11th Annual Pinwheels for Prevention community event.
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An East High School Junior ROTC member plants pinwheels during the Annual Pinwheel Planting Event at Boardman Park this year.
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The Poland High School Show Choir provided entertainment and Broadway tunes at the Pinwheels for Prevention Community Event at Boardman Park.
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East High School Junior ROTC Student Color Guard recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the 11th Annual Pinwheels for Prevention community event.
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Awareness is Everything: Mahoning County Children Services' billboard that was up through the month of April to increase awareness of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention and the significance of the pinwheel as the national symbol of child abuse prevention.
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YPD Captures Win from Sheriff's Office at Children Services' Charity
2016 'Battle of the Blue Game'
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Battle of the Blue:
Youngstown Police Department (in light blue) vs. Mahoning County Sheriff's Office (in white) battle it out at the Children Services' First Annual "Battle of the Blue" basketball game. YPD captured the win 50-32 over the Sheriff's office.
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Work is Fun:
Members of the Above the Rim Event Planning Committee having a little fun (pictured left to right: Jenn, Monique and Kristy.)
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Backyard rivals Youngstown Police Department and Mahoning County Sheriff's Office met on the hardwood for a friendly fundraising basketball game for Mahoning County Children Services. YPD captured the win over the Sheriff's Office 50-32 at Children Services' First Annual Battle of the Blue” Basketball Game that was part of the Above the Rim Basketball Event,
sponsored by the Mahoning County Children Services Citizens Committee. The Event and aims to accomplish three goals:
1.) Raise awareness about Mahoning County Children Services;
2) Raise funds for Mahoning County Children Services Citizens Committee which exists to help continue a stable base of funding for Children Services;
3) raises awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April. Blue is the national and official color of child abuse and neglect prevention. It's also the national color for law enforcement.
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Pre-game Preview:
WFMJ-TV 21's Today Show featured a promotional segment about the First Annual Battle of the Blue Game. (pictured left to right: Officer Michael Bodnar, YPD, Deputy Joel Gensler, Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, Mike Case, WFMJ Today Show Anchor, Officer Jessica Shields, YPD, and Jennifer Kollar, Public Information Officer, Mahoning County Children Services)
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Youngstown State University's Mascot Pete the Penguin was in the house supporting the "Battle of the Blue" Event.
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Mahoning County Children Services is excited about several special events including a Carnival Day and Adoption Mixer planned exclusively for foster youth this summer!
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Mahoning Kids Matter is the official publication of Mahoning County Children Services.
For questions or to submit news or information pertaining to Children Services, contact the
Mahoning County Children Services Public Information Office: 330.941.8810
Editor:
Jennifer T. Kollar
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Reports of Child Abuse and Neglect Taken 24/7.
If you suspect abuse or neglect, report it to Children Services.
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