Board of Trustees meets

The PCSAO Board of Trustees held its first meeting of the year on Jan. 7 and welcomed Jacqueline Fletcher (Cuyahoga County DCFS Director) who replaced Tania Burnett (Ashtabula CSB Director) and Veronica Spidell (Tuscarawas County JFS Director) who replaced Jed McCoy (Coshocton County JFS Director) to the board. The Board approved the November 2025 financial report and discussed possible topic ideas for the upcoming Executive Membership Meeting on March 5 and 6. The Board received reports on Association business, legislation, rules, and strategic priorities related to prevention services, market rate survey, Medicaid/OB interface issues with SACWIS, OCWTP, and DCY communications. The Board of Trustees meet next virtually on Feb. 4.

Community Education Committee talks property taxes

The Community Education Committee kicked off 2026 with its first meeting of the year Jan. 9. The committee charter was reviewed and re-approved. Committee members learned about property tax reform efforts, including the proposed constitutional amendment (still in the signature-gathering phase) to eliminate property taxes altogether. Other topics included Wear Blue and county updates. The committee next meets Feb. 6 to hear from the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund about Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

Rules Committee meets

The Rules Committee met on Jan. 8 to review several updates from DCY on the Memorandum including the MOU review process, discussion of PCSAO’s feedback on disposition appeals and a walkthrough of the current draft of the Chapter 9 substitute care rules following recent workgroup revisions. The committee also reviewed slated rule activity for 2026 by section, discussed internal committee roles and responsibilities, confirmed the 2026 meeting schedule, and highlighted a roundup of rules activity and accomplishments from 2025. 

Ashtabula County achieves Ohio START certification

Ashtabula County has officially achieved certification in the START model, becoming the ninth certified county in Ohio. Certification reflects a county’s adherence to the model’s essential components and fidelity standards, reinforcing their commitment to serving families impacted by substance use and ensuring child safety.

Save the Date: 2026 Ohio START Summit

The 2026 Ohio START Summit will take place May 4-5 at The Ohioan Hotel & Event Center in Lewis Center. This event brings together more than 200 caseworkers, supervisors, behavioral health providers, and family peer mentors for networking and learning how best to serve Ohio's families affected by co-occurring child maltreatment and substance use disorder. Registration is anticipated to open in March.

Call for presenters

Ohio START is seeking workshop proposals for the 2026 Ohio START Annual Summit May 4-5. We are especially interested in unique workshops targeted towards child protection, peer support, and substance use treatment professionals that feature local presenters. Workshops that can be offered for CEUs are preferred. Learn more and submit a proposal here. Proposals are due Jan. 30.

Clearance

As of Jan. 9, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.

Filed with JCARR

The following rules were refiled on Jan. 7:

• Rule 5180:2-5-28 - Agency cause for denial of initial certification, denial of recertification or revocation of a foster home certificate.
• Rule 5180:2-42-18.1 - Non-discrimination requirements for foster care placements.
• Rule 5180:2-42-64 - Preplacement services.
• Rule 5180:2-42-68 - Necessity for continued substitute care placement: court reviews and hearing requirements.