Executive Benefits
In addition to the many benefits available to agencies and agency staff outlined to the right, we provide or work to support a number of services specially designed for agency executives, including directors, child welfare administrators and senior staff. The only cost associated with most services relates to travel, food and accommodations.
New Executives Orientation
Brand-new executives and their senior managers may attend a two-day orientation and training, offered annually, to learn about best practices, to network with peers, and to gain the skills they need to hit the ground running. Topics have included county government, financial management, public policy advocacy, media relations, executive/board relationship, personnel administration and collective bargaining, and outcomes/data management.
Executive Membership Meetings
Three times a year, agency executives are invited to a two-day meeting to learn about the latest trends, exchange information, and improve skills. Open to PCSAO members only, these meetings offer ample opportunity to interact and recharge.
Executive Coaching
A pool of specially trained coaches – many retired agency executives themselves – is available to offer one-on-one coaching to directors, administrators and senior staff. Coaches provide in-depth and personalized assistance on one or more topics identified by the executive. To discuss coaching, call Scott Britton at 614-224-5802. Executive coaching is a collaborative project of PCSAO and the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.
Executive Listserv
Executives can get immediate feedback from their peers across the state by using a closed, secure email listserv. Topics run the gamut in this informal, collegial virtual setting.
Technical Assistance Upon Request
PCSAO’s staff and trustees bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their work. Assistance is available in crisis management and communications, advocacy, agency excellence, accreditation, human resources, safety, public information campaigns, and much more. PCSAO staff have broad knowledge of many topics and can link executives to valuable resources, experts, or colleagues to address a particular need. Contact PCSAO at 614-224-5802 (or by email – stafffirstname@pcsao.org) with questions and requests.
Benefits and Services for Agencies and Staff
As an association of public children services agencies, PCSAO was established in part to promote system-wide excellence and program improvement. We offer or work to support a number of services and benefits specially designed for member agencies and their caseworkers and other staff. The only cost associated with most services relates to travel, food, and accommodations.
Annual Statewide Conference
Always much-anticipated, the PCSAO conference features in-depth workshops offering social work Continuing Education Units, OCWTP training credit and Continuing Legal Education. The conference offers interaction with vendors, networking opportunities, and awards ceremonies highlighting youth and families as well as legislators and advocates. Agency staff can be nominated for one of four honors awarded at the conference: Supervisor of the Year, Caseworker of the Year, Support Advocate of the Year, and Support Staff of the Year. Members receive discounts on conference registration fees. Learn more.
Peer-to-Peer Committees
By bringing together agency staff across a variety of disciplines, PCSAO promotes the sharing of best practices, problem-solving, and system-wide improvement. Committees meet regularly with specific goals and tasks. They include the Legislative Committee, the Rules Review Committee, the JFS Human Resources Association, the Conference Planning Committee and the Community Education Committee. Learn more.
State and Federal Legislative Advocacy
As a statewide association, PCSAO represents its members’ interests at the Ohio Statehouse, monitoring child protection and related bills, advocating for improvements to the law, providing input to the rule-making process, and lobbying for adequate funding. PCSAO does the same thing at the federal level, promoting our mission of safe children, strong families and supportive communities among Ohio’s Congressional delegation. Learn more.
Timely Communications
Communication is key in an 88-county statewide network, and PCSAO has a number of tools to keep agencies and staff up to date. The Weekly Update offers the latest news, events, job postings, and more via email once each week. Sign up to receive the Weekly Update. Also, check out our Facebook page.
Job Board
PCSAO provides free advertising for children services-related job openings. Learn more about posting a job opportunity.
Ohio Child Welfare Training Program
More than 30 years ago, PCSAO helped establish the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program, and we remain a proud partner in this internationally recognized comprehensive competency-based in-service training program. PCSAO’s assistant director co-chairs the OCWTP State Steering Committee along with staff from the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. We work closely with the statewide training manager and the eight regional training centers to ensure that agency staff and caregivers receive the best possible training to improve outcomes for children and families. Learn more.
PCSAO Factbook
PCSAO publishes a comprehensive Factbook of county-by-county data about children services. Much sought-after by policy makers, advocates, and others in the field, the Factbook identifies key program and fiscal data. Learn more.
Limited Legal Support and Friend-of-the-Court Briefs
From time to time, when agencies are involved in legal action on issues with statewide application, PCSAO’s Legislative Committee may submit an amicus, or friend-of-the-court, brief to the appeals court. If your agency is involved in litigation where such support would be useful, contact PCSAO’s executive director.