National Infant Mortality Awareness Month
September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness of the high rate of infant mortality in the United States. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a baby before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate not only serves as a key indicator of maternal and infant health but is also an important measure of the health status of a community. In 2021, the infant mortality rate in Ohio rose to 7.0 from 6.7 per thousand births in 2020 for all races. The new Vital Statistics Rapid Release report from the National Center for Health Statistics shows that the provisional infant mortality rate for the United States in 2022 rose three percent from 2021. This is the first year-to-year increase in the rate since 2002.
One of the leading causes of Infant Mortality is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). While health care providers and researchers don’t know the exact causes of SIDS research shows that parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths by providing a safe sleep environment for babies. Due to unsafe sleeping environments, a baby in Ohio dies every two to three days on average with a disproportionate number of Black families being impacted. Black infants died from SIDS at two times the rate of White infants.
Ohio is committed to lowering the infant mortality rate in every race and ethnic group and one of the ways they are doing this is through the Department of Children and Youth’s (DCY) Safe Sleep Program. The Safe Sleep program provides funding to 30 organizations serving 71 counties to promote safe sleep practices and distribute Cribettes and safe sleep kits within their counties. During the period of October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024, DCY provided a total of 7,496 cribs, of which 2,911 were to African American/Black Families. The Cribettes and safe sleep kits are provided by Cribs for Kids©, through a contract with DCY. These partnerships are ensuring a bright future for Ohio’s children.
Ohio Grandparent/Kinship Coalition Recognizes Grandparent/Kinship Month with Advocacy Day and Personal Stories
To celebrate the relatives and non-relatives who provide stability, love, and support as kinship families, the Ohio Grandparent/Kinship Coalition (OGKC) is advocating for and telling the stories of kinship caregivers.
Governor Mike DeWine issued a proclamation marking September as Grandparent/Kinship Month and recognizing that nearly 300,000 Ohio children under the age of 18 live in homes with caregivers who are not their parents.
Beginning September 9, 2024 OGKC is providing an opportunity for individuals to campaign for changes for kinship families. Click here to view the flyer.
OCKC also has a YouTube channel showcasing the real stories of kinship caregivers. You can watch them here.
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September is National Child Welfare Workforce Development Month
Child Welfare Workforce Development Month is an annual observance that recognizes the dedication and hard work of professionals in the child welfare field. This week-long event highlights the critical role these individuals play in protecting vulnerable children, supporting families, and strengthening communities. It serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges faced by child welfare workers, celebrate their achievements, and promote the importance of ongoing training and support for this essential workforce. Thank you to our Child Welfare Workforce. You are unsung heroes who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of children across Ohio.
As part of September’s National Child Welfare Workforce Development Month, we are spotlighting the Ohio Child Welfare University Partnership Program (UPP). Established in 2002, UPP plays a critical role in ensuring that Ohio’s Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs) are staffed with well-educated, trained, and experienced caseworkers. This unique collaboration involves the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), 12 public and private university schools of social work, the Ohio University Consortium for Child and Adult Services (OUCCAS), the Public Children’s Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO), and Ohio’s 88 PCSAs.
During the 2023-2024 academic year, UPP welcomed 59 new students and celebrated the graduation of 39 students from 10 universities across Ohio. Since its inception, approximately 1,300 students have participated in the program, with UPP making its presence felt in 73 Ohio counties through internships and in 68 counties through employment at PCSAs.
Core Objectives of UPP
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Identifying and Preparing Future Professionals: UPP focuses on recognizing potential child services professionals and equipping them for entry-level roles in PCSAs.
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Professionalizing Child Welfare: The program aims to elevate the standards of child welfare by ensuring that caseworkers are thoroughly prepared for their roles.
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Reducing Training Time: By providing targeted education and hands-on experience, UPP significantly cuts down the time newly hired caseworkers spend on on-the-job training.
In 2002, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) initiated the program by gathering social work educators from across the state to develop a university-based education program. Funded by Federal Title IV-E dollars, the program prepares social work professionals for public child welfare employment, fully coordinated with OCWTP to create an integrated education and training system.
According to the Ohio Child Welfare University Partnership Program 2022-2023 Evaluation Report, UPP graduates consistently outperform non-UPP employees in key areas, such as data entry in the Ohio SACWIS system, critical thinking, safety assessments, family assessments and case plans, confidentiality, client engagement, stress management, and safety planning.
Currently, UPP is active in nearly 90% of Ohio’s counties, with 141 students enrolled and ongoing recruitment for the fall. Around 100 students have secured employment or internships at PCSAs. The program continues to expand, with plans to reach the remaining 17 universities in Ohio that offer social work programs and explore additional Title IV-E funding opportunities.
Family Fun on the Floor: Learning Through Play
 In a heartwarming scene from Highland County, Parents As Teachers (PAT) home visitor Kathy Harmon recently captured the essence of family bonding and early childhood education. During a home visit, Kathy introduced a simple yet engaging paper road activity that had the entire family sprawled on the floor, creating and imagining together.
This activity showcases PAT's core philosophy: playing is learning. For a full hour, parents and children alike were fully immersed in drawing, discussing, and exploring their paper roadways. Kathy observed and participated in the conversations, guiding the family to recognize the educational value in their playtime.
Such moments reinforce the importance of whole-family engagement in a child's development. It's not just about keeping kids busy – it's about creating opportunities for shared experiences, communication, and creativity that benefit everyone involved.
We're thrilled to see families embracing these concepts and grateful to dedicated professionals like Kathy who bring such enriching activities into homes.
Dolly Parton Imagination Library of Ohio Update
Great news from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio (DPILO)! We're excited to share some impressive enrollment numbers that showcase the program's growing impact across our state.
Statewide Success: As of August, an impressive 61 percent of Ohio's eligible children are now enrolled in the DPILO program. This translates to a whopping 409,075 children receiving free, age-appropriate books each month. That's more than 400,000 young minds being nurtured through the magic of reading!
Foster Care Initiative Highlight: We're particularly proud of our foster care initiative within DPILO. As of today, we have 4,615 active children in foster care enrolled in the program. This means that thousands of our most vulnerable children receive a book individually addressed to them, helping to build their imaginations and love for reading despite challenging circumstances.
These numbers reflect the dedication of our partners, caregivers, and community members in promoting early literacy. Every book delivered is an opportunity for a child to learn, grow, and dream big.
Remember, if you know a child between zero and five who isn't enrolled, it's never too late to sign up! Together, we can continue to expand the reach of this wonderful program and inspire a lifelong love of reading in Ohio's children.
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Fathers Discuss Tech Safety for Kids with Lt. Governor Husted
 The Ohio Commission on Fatherhood staff recently attended Action for Children’s 'Father Up' session focused on online safety. Chris Vineis, founder of Unite for Safe Social Media, and Lt. Governor Jon Husted joined fathers in a vital discussion on best practices and resources to help parents and caregivers protect children from the dangers of technology.
Northwest Treatment Foster Care Partnership Recognized
 WOSU Public Media shared a story of a couple with a passion for fostering that opened their home to seven children over the years, including some with high behavior needs. Their experience highlights the growing demand for specialized foster care, particularly for children facing mental health and behavioral challenges. The Northwest Treatment Foster Care Partnership, a collaboration between Sandusky, Seneca, Ottawa, and Wyandot counties, has equipped them and other families to provide trauma-informed care, addressing a critical shortage of foster homes willing to take on these cases. This need is part of a broader crisis, as many children in Ohio enter foster care due to behavioral health issues rather than neglect or abuse. Expanding upon the success of the Northwest Partnership, the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) provided funding to nine new partnerships across the state to expand this model.
DCY On The Move
Director Kara Wente, Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen, and Deputy Director Katina Bays made several stops in Cleveland recently. The Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition invited the Director to meet with members to discuss workforce challenges in the human services fields. Next, they visited First Year Cleveland to learn about their efforts to address infant vitality in Cuyahoga County. Finally, they met with leadership from Cuyahoga County to learn about their creative solutions for addressing the children services placement crisis. During these visits, they engaged in meaningful dialogues, sharing insights and strategies to tackle these pressing issues. The Department of Children and Youth’s commitment to understanding and supporting local initiatives focused on children underscores our dedication to improving the lives of Ohio's youngest residents. Each meeting provided valuable perspectives, highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation in driving positive change for children across the state. These efforts aim to ensure that every child in Ohio has access to the care, support, and opportunities they need to thrive.
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Director Wente recently had the pleasure of speaking with Attorney Logan Philipps in his vlog, VLOGAN. During their conversation, she highlighted the critical work DCY is doing to support some of the most vulnerable children and families in Ohio.
Director Wente elaborated on DCY's initiatives with the disability community, emphasizing the importance of early identification, better support, and resources. She emphasized the role of early intervention, child care, and the Help Me Grow program, all integral parts of DCY's mission.
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 Director Kara Wente, Denielle Rittinger, Sharla O’Keefe, Kristine Monroe, Michelle Morrow, Cindy Lowder, Ruby Flagg, Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen, Nathan DeDino, Hannah Knies, Alicia Allen, Trish Wilson, Nicole Sillaman, Stevie Romano, Angie Hughes.
On August 7, 2024, DCY had the pleasure of hosting our Region 5 federal partners from the Administration for Families and Children, Children's Bureau (CB), who oversees the state’s children services system. The CB team engaged with DCY staff to discuss Ohio's Title IV-E Prevention Services plan and the ongoing implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act. This visit provided a valuable platform for Ohio to share updates, offer feedback, and gain insights on the national progress of Family First. Additionally, the discussion covered preparations for the upcoming Title IV-E review and the Child and Family Services Review. This meeting highlighted our commitment to improving services for children and families across Ohio.
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Director Wente recently toured the Hilltop Early Learning Center, a pre-K facility that combines education with healthcare access. The center houses a school-based health center operated by Nationwide Children's Hospital, providing primary care services not only to enrolled students but also to the wider community. This innovative approach ensures that young learners receive quality education while having convenient access to essential healthcare services, creating a holistic environment for early childhood development and community wellness. |
Director Kara Wente, Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen, and Nicole Sillaman, Executive Director of the Ohio Children's Trust Fund attended the Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) membership meeting. Director Wente had the honor of being the keynote speaker where she addressed the attendees, highlighting the outstanding efforts of the CAC and their dedication to protecting children across the state. Through the Ohio Children’s Trust Fund, DCY is committed to supporting CACs by providing crucial funding and guidance. We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with CACs through the Family Success Network (FSN)—a community-based prevention model focused on offering preventive case management services to families facing potential risks. Together, we’re building stronger families and safer communities!
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To recognize the efforts made by parents, families, and child support professionals to support the well-being of children across Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted declared August as Child Support Awareness Month. Child support ensures that both parents contribute financially to their child’s upbringing, providing essentials like food, shelter, education, and healthcare. With reliable support, children have better access to opportunities and a brighter future. The ODJFS Office of Child Support provides guidelines and processes payments for the state’s child support program. Their website offers resources like a child support calculator, guidance on support orders, and the ODJFS Child Support mobile app for easy access to case information and electronic payments. Director Kara Wente and Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen recognized the day by wearing green in support of Child Support Awareness Month.
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DCY Director Kara Wente, Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen, and Chief Strategy Officer Alicia Leatherman recently toured the Franklin County Children's Advocacy Center (CAC), demonstrating the department's commitment to child welfare and safety. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the ongoing Medical Access Initiative, a collaborative effort aimed at improving healthcare access for vulnerable children. This tour highlights the growing partnership between the Ohio Network of Children's Advocacy Centers (ONCAC) and the Ohio Children's Trust Fund (OCTF), reinforcing the state's dedication to protecting and supporting Ohio's youth through coordinated, community-based efforts.
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Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen presented during the first day of the State Support Team (SST) August Institute, setting the stage for a deep dive into key topics, including preschool special education, the ECE grant, and updates on Step Up To Quality changes, and the SST grant agreement. Following Jeff’s remarks, Jody Beall, Megan Shuler, and Sophia Hubbell each provided insights into these critical areas.
Director Wente opened the second day of the institute, emphasizing the importance of SST's regional system of support for early learning programs. In their remarks, Director Wente covered essential topics such as the Department of Children and Youth's scope of work, prevention strategies, central intake processes, and the expansion of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire screenings. Director Wente stressed the significance of SST's regional support network, which serves as a cornerstone for fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and ensuring high-quality early learning experiences.
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Gongwer: New Child-Focused Department Prepares For Next Budget
https://www.gongwer-oh.com/ Some links may require a Gongwer membership.
Just past the one-year anniversary of the new Department of Children & Youth, Director Kara Wente said the agency has hit several administrative milestones and is looking forward to further digging into its core mission.
The most recent operating budget (HB 33) mobilized the cabinet-level agency in July 2023, giving it $753.4 million in general revenue funds in Fiscal Year 2024 and $761.8 million in FY25. Adding in dedicated purpose and federal funds, the department had a $2.2 billion budget in the first year and $2.3 billion in year two. (Greenbook)
It pulled existing programs and personnel from several state agencies, with the intent of providing more cohesive and efficient services for the youngest Ohioans. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, March 14, 2023)
"One piece keeping us on the same page is that Gov. DeWine has not taken his focus off us," she said in an interview. "In all sincerity, this has been his baby, and he continues to keep paying attention and making sure we're moving forward and truly seeing his vision come to life."
Wente said staff came together under one roof in mid-January.
"Talking to other states, that's really fast," she said. "If COVID taught us anything, it's that we can work from anywhere. We've been really successful in coming together as a team and establishing a fiscal structure."
She acknowledged there was a "rough transition period" when the department was not yet recognized in the Ohio Administrative Knowledge System and did not have its own appropriation line items.
As a result, it had to request Controlling Board approval for certain programs through other departments. An example was the new Family Connects pilot program providing at-home nurse visits for newborns in 11 counties, which was requested by the Department of Health. (See Gongwer Ohio Report, April 12, 2024)
DCY staff were still heavily involved in that process, Wente said, adding that the pilot is expected to begin serving families in October.
As of July 1, DCY is handling its own Controlling Board requests and is issuing its own payments and grants.
Because of how DCY's statute was written, all of its rules are being filed under the so-called "legacy agencies," the six departments that originally housed various children-focused programs, until Jan. 1.
Programmatically, Wente said the department is off to a strong start thanks to early stakeholder engagement that included 700 partners and 200 families in 10 different sessions held across the state.
"We learned we have to meet families earlier, and that's going well," she said.
One major change is the expansion of Central Intake to children ages birth to 5 rather than birth to 3, which also includes the expansion of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire that screens for child development.
Wente said DCY is also deploying an app in September that will allow parents, childcare providers and pediatricians to answer an ASQ together, rather than separately.
DCY also created a pilot for children who age out of early intervention but do not quality for early education.
"We could see a gap in the numbers from early intervention to pre-K special ed," she said. "Those kids that age out still need services, and we don't want to lose the investment we put in to catch them up."
One of Wente's proudest achievements so far is providing early childhood education slots to an additional 150 3- and 4-year-olds who are in kinship or foster care.
"That's going to help the kids and create consistency," she said.
Looking ahead to the next biennium budget, DCY's focus will be on investing to further three goals.
The first is to improve maternal and infant wellness.
In Ohio, about seven out of 1,000 babies die before their first birthday. To be among the top 10 states with the lowest rates, Ohio would have to decrease the infant mortality rate to 4.4.
"We have to do what we're doing today, and we have to save another 330 babies every year, so we're focusing on that and how we can drive that outcome," she said.
The second goal is to increase kindergarten readiness from 36% to 60%, which also means "early identification and home visiting to make sure we meet families where they're at earlier," Wente said.
The final goal is to decrease the number of children entering the foster care system from 3.3 per thousand to 2 per thousand.
"As we always tell our stakeholders, we don't want to have fewer calls, we want fewer people who need to call," she said. "We want to get to families when they're concerned and not when they're in crisis, so we focus on developing the support system and figuring out how to better connect with families when there is a small concern rather than when they're entering children services because the family's become unstable after a horrific event."
One example, she said, is the Children's Trust Fund's support of the Family Successful Network, which helps families with small supports that "are actually keeping kids out of children's services. We don't have all the data yet, but certainly we feel like we're seeing data that's moving in the right direction."
"What we're trying to figure out is what small support we can provide to alleviate a burden so parents don't lose a job or have so much stress that they feel they can't keep those kids safe and in their home," Wente continued.
The director also plans to request some "clean-up" language in the next budget to ensure consistency across different sections of code. While current language is manageable, changes are necessary, she said.
She may pursue a change during the lame duck "if there's an opportunity," but said it can wait until the next budget.
DCY Leads the Way in Early Childhood Mental Health Support
At the Department of Children and Youth (DCY), we're proud to champion the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) program, a vital initiative supporting Ohio's youngest residents. This evidence-informed intervention pairs mental health professionals with caregivers of children from birth to age 6, promoting healthy social-emotional development and addressing challenges early on.
Our dedicated team has made significant strides:
- Assembled 1,250 social-emotional toolkits for statewide distribution to family child care providers, early care providers, and preschools
- Deployed 16 consultants across 12 Service Delivery Areas to work directly with Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
- Trained 60 consultants in specialized programs like Triple P and PECE to support families and early educators
- Partnered with Yale University to implement the CHILD observation tool, focusing on early classrooms and relationships
As we look to the future, we're focused on expanding our IECMHC workforce, improving data collection, and aligning our services with other statewide providers. Our goal is to ensure that every child in Ohio has the support they need for optimal social-emotional development. The IECMHC program shows how DCY is working hard to support every child in Ohio. We're focusing on helping families now, while also laying the groundwork for a better future for all Ohio families. To learn more about IECMHC, contact Misty Cole at misty.cole@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
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19th Annual Fathers Walk: Empowering Dads, Enhancing Education
Research clearly demonstrates that fathers' presence and involvement in their children's lives is linked to better educational outcomes, including higher educational attainment and fewer behavior problems at school. This is why DCY-Ohio Commission on Fatherhood invites all fathers and male mentors to participate in the Fathers Walk on September 19, 2024, with children who attend early childhood programs and schools.
The Fathers Walk is an amazing experience, and children are always so proud to have their fathers participate. Fathers can be an example to other fathers, and a movement like this only takes a few dedicated individuals to spark others to join in. We encourage all fathers to take part in this meaningful event and make a positive impact on their children's lives and education.
For more information, please check out the Fathers Walk flyer.
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September is Attendance Awareness Month!
September is Attendance Awareness Month, a nationwide recognition of the connection between regular school attendance and academic achievement. Celebrate with the Stay in the Game! Attendance Network by participating in planned events each week to encourage attending school every day and reducing chronic absence.
Districts and schools can check out the spirit week flyer and participate in engaging activities to generate excitement and encourage regular attendance. Some schools may even be recognized by the Cleveland Browns, Columbus Crew, FC Cincinnati or Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
A student who misses just two to three days of school per month can be chronically absent. Attendance Awareness Month highlights the importance of mobilizing schools, families, and community partners to promote and implement tiered strategies and personalized interventions to reduce chronic absence. When students are not chronically absent, they are far more likely to read on grade level, succeed academically, graduate on time, and be ready for the workforce.
Ohio’s chronic absenteeism rate for the 2022-2023 school year was 26.8%, which has improved statewide by 3.4% from the 2021-2022 school year.
For more information and attendance resources, visit the recently updated Attendance Support webpage. Email Patrick Hickman with any questions.
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