PCSAO Weekly Update: January 20, 2026

Weekly Update: January 20, 2026

Association News

Allen to retire from Casey Family Programs

Crystal Ward Allen has announced that she will retire from Casey Family Programs April 1. Allen served as PCSAO’s executive director from 2001 to 2014 before joining Casey as a senior director, strategic consulting. In that role, she has continued providing resources and support to Ohio’s (as well as Colorado’s) child- and family-serving systems. We wish Crystal all the best as she plans her retirement travels and visits with the grandchildren, and we congratulate her on an outstanding career of leadership and advocacy!

East Central District meets

PCSA leaders from the East Central District met Jan. 16. Updates were provided by the Regional Training Center (RTC), PCSAO trustees, and PCSAO staff. Discussion included HB 635, foster home per diem rates, and the SACWIS/OB interface. The meeting concluded with county updates. The district meets next April 17.

Northwest District meets

The Northwest District met on Jan. 15 and discussed a number of issues including OhioRISE, Medicaid/SACWIS interface, pending children services-related legislation in the Statehouse, and the OCWTP training program. PCSAO provided updates for additional discussion. The district next meets on April 16.

OCWTP meets

The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program met Jan. 14, with updates from DCY, PCSAO, the RTCs, and the training manager OUCCAS. Discussion topics included training compliance, the CFSR, and advanced foster care training. The committee took action on a CEU issue. The next meeting will be Feb. 11.

Ohio START

Ohio START held Quarterly Coaching Call with Forensic Fluids

Ohio START held its January Quarterly Coaching Call, featuring a presentation from Forensic Fluids. The session covered best practices for administering and interpreting drug tests, maintaining chain of custody, and trauma-informed communication with families. The discussion was guided by a robust list of questions prepared in advance to support counties in improving local practice.

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.

Ohio START award nominations open

Each year, Ohio START presents awards to outstanding agency staff and partners, as well as the families they serve. Ohio START award recipients embody the values of Ohio START and go above and beyond for their team, clients, and communities. Winners and their loved ones will be invited to join us for the awards presentation held during the 2026 Ohio START Annual Summit on May 4-5. Nominations can be submitted by public children services agencies and their staff, Ohio START team members, and partners working directly with Ohio START teams on Ohio START cases. See the flyer to learn more, and complete the nomination here by Feb. 27.

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.

Rules Update

Clearance

As of Jan. 16, there are no children services-related rules in clearance.

Filed with JCARR

As of Jan. 16, there are no children services-related rules filed with JCARR.

Resources and Clips

Resources and Opportunities

Kinship care storytelling opportunity

Kinship Caregivers Connect (KCC) is inviting caregivers and writers from across Ohio to contribute to an upcoming collaborative book project centered on elevating kinship care experiences. Building on the community fostered through KCC’s online support spaces, this project aims to raise awareness, amplify lived experiences, and create a meaningful resource shaped by caregivers’ voices. Learn more here.

OneOhio Recovery Foundation grant opportunity

PCSAs and community partners working in prevention, treatment, and recovery are encouraged to review the newest statewide funding opportunity from the OneOhio Recovery Foundation, which is making up to $45.7 million available through Regional Grant Cycle 2. This grant round reinforces OneOhio’s commitment to community-driven investments that support individuals and families impacted by substance use disorder. Organizations may begin preparing now for the Funding Inquiry window, which opened on Jan. 14. The full Request for Proposals is available on the foundation’s grant headquarters webpage.

Adolescent cannabis use webinar

PCSAs and child-serving professionals are invited to join Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) for an upcoming webinar on Feb. 11, 1-2:30 p.m. focused on adolescent cannabis use within the child welfare system. Adolescents involved in child welfare are disproportionately affected by substance use, and despite rapid changes in policy and culture, significant myths and misconceptions about cannabis persist. This session will offer a practical overview of trends in adolescent cannabis use, key risk factors, and the impacts of cannabis on youth development, along with important considerations for families, caregivers, and professionals supporting system-involved youth. Register here.

Kinnect's Kinfirst Convening

Join Kinnect for the 2026 KinFirst Convening: "Rooted in Kin, Growing Together" on March 27 in Newark. This convening will bring together advocates, practitioners, policymakers, kin caregivers, and child welfare leaders to share strategies, build community, and deepen commitment to kin-first values and supports. Learn more and register here.

Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity for Treatment Foster Homes

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), in partnership with the Ohio Children’s Alliance (OCA), announced the Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity for Treatment Foster Homes. This funding uses a financial incentive approach to support and retain licensed treatment foster homes serving youth involved with Ohio public children services agencies. Eligible applicants must be licensed treatment foster homes in good standing (or planning to become licensed within 90 days) and must currently have, or plan to accept, a treatment foster youth in PCSA custody. Applications open on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. and close on Jan. 30 at 5 p.m. Foster care worker submissions are due by Feb. 3 at 5 p.m. Funding will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are exhausted Learn more here.

DCY Tuesday Times

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth shares updates and other information pertaining to children services and related program areas in the Tuesday Times newsletter. To view previous versions of the Tuesday Times, click here.

Child Protection in the News

Jan. 16 – Two Ohio social-service agencies combine under new alliance – Spectrum News

Underneath the alliance, foster care services, mental health services, home-based and in-home services along with independent living & youth transition services and adoptions will continue and be strengthened across central and southwest Ohio.

Jan. 14 – Franklin County program aims to keep families together – NBC4

Franklin County Children Services is hoping a new pilot program will lead to more children being placed in the care of relatives.

Calendar and Job Postings