Children's Services Advisory Council Hearings Wrap-Up

10th and final meeting was held on January 13, 2020.

The January 13 Children’s Services Advisory Council Meeting was the 10th and final of the forums held around the state, having traveled to Athens, Wapakoneta, Pataskala, Bowling Green, Medina, Lebanon, Canton, Cincinnati, and Columbus before its last stop in Cleveland. Thank you to all of the providers and advocates who provided testimony during this process on behalf of vulnerable kids and families. CEO Mark Mecum provided written comments to the Council on behalf of our 80 community agencies that empower over 100,000 children and family members each year calling for child welfare system realignment for FFPSA, boosting local recruitment efforts of treatment foster homes, and restructuring foster parent training, among others.

“Now is a critical time to coordinate policy initiatives impacting child welfare, including Ohio’s foster care program,” Mecum said.  “We are committed to working with these new offices, the Council, and all system stakeholders to forge a better future for Ohioans.”

We will remain vigilant as recommendations are shaped to give to the Governor.