Children's Continuum of Care Reform

#FosterHope4OHKids

In response to the statewide crisis in foster care, PCSAO has launched a bold reform plan to reimagine the child protection system to get better outcomes for children and families.

For years, Ohio’s child protection system has struggled with a rising number of children coming into care, in part due to the opioid epidemic. These children present with more complex needs, stay longer in custody, and cost more. A true continuum of care must begin with a commitment that children should be raised in families, not in institutions. Services should start before children are removed from their homes through prevention, diversion, and crisis services. And for those children who are removed and who cannot be placed with kin, high-quality, appropriate foster placements — including treatment foster homes and short-term residential placements — must be available as close to home as possible. Then, after children return home, support must continue to prevent reentry and ensure sustained permanency.

In May 2019, PCSAO updated the reform plan based on feedback received since its release and to include more recent data and kinship recommendations. Updates are minor and do not affect the overall goals or impact of the plan.

PCSAO Needs Your Help!

• Step 1: Review our reform plan to establish a Children’s Continuum of Care.

• Step 2: Endorse our reform plan and become an organizational supporter of our campaign.

• Step 3: Share our reform plan with colleagues and providers on social media using the hashtag #FosterHope4OHKids.

Endorsing Organizations

The Children’s Continuum of Care Reform was developed by PCSAO“s membership, made up of Ohio’s county children services agencies. We are pleased that the following organizations have also formally endorsed the plan:

• A Place 4 Me, YWCA Greater Cleveland
• Casey Family Programs
• Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio
• Fauver DeMuesy Communications llc
• Institute for Human Services
• Integrated Services for Behavioral Health
• Kinnect
• National Youth Advocate Program, Inc.
• Ohio Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
• Ohio Children’s Alliance
• Ohio Children’s Hospital Association
• Ohio Family Care Association
• Ohio Gap Closers
• Ohio Job and Family Services Directors’ Association
• Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers
• Ohio United Way
• Reliable Hearts
• Voices for Ohio’s Children
• Youth Villages

Updated July 2019

Continuum of Care Resources

• Report: Treating resource families as professionals will improve retention, outcomes for kids (October 2020)
• Report: Centers of Excellence offer promise for Family First implementation (August 2020)
• Report: Supports, training key to expanding treatment foster care (August 2020)
• Report: Recommendations for tiered treatment foster care (February 2020)
• Quick Overview of PCSAO’s Reform Plan
• Slide Deck of PCSAO’s Reform Plan Overview
• Slide Deck from May 2018 Stakeholder Kickoff Meeting

Family First Prevention Services Act Resources

• ODJFS Office of Families and Children Family First Site
• PCSAO Comments on Proposed Model Family Foster Home Licensing Standards (October 2018)
• PCSAO Comments on Proposed Prevention Services Clearinghouse of Evidence-Based Practices (July 2018)
• Child Welfare Information Gateway Family First Act Resources