During last month's annual meeting of the Governor’s Human Trafficking Task Force, the Ohio Department of Public Safety announced the launch of a new human trafficking dashboard that combines data from several state agencies into a centralized location to increase accessibility for the public, policymakers, and researchers. 

Anyone can access the dashboard, available on the DataOhio Portal, which houses the human trafficking data previously maintained separately by the Ohio departments of Children and Youth, Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Rehabilitation and Correction, and Youth Services. Public Safety will add its data in the coming months. Each agency is a member of the Governor’s Human Trafficking Task Force. 

Other benefits of the data project include raising awareness about human trafficking, improving outreach, and allocating appropriate resources where needed. 

Users can access anonymous data about potential and confirmed survivors of human trafficking, filter information by demographics to better understand the characteristics of survivors served in state systems and view a statewide and county perspective of human trafficking. 

January was Human Trafficking Prevention Month. 

Ohio is committed to lowering the infant mortality rate across all racial and ethnic groups, and one of the ways the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is doing this is through the Safe Sleep Program. The DCY Bureau of Maternal and Early Childhood Services and Supports is partnering with Cribs for Kids® and local organizations throughout Ohio to provide Cribettes® and safe sleep education to eligible families (while supplies last). Cribettes® are certified as being compliant with Consumer Product Safety Commission standards and are part of a safe sleep kit that also includes a fitted sheet and safe sleep educational materials. The Safe Sleep program currently provides funding to 30 organizations serving 71 counties to promote safe sleep practices and distribute Cribettes and safe sleep kits within their counties. 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. 

To receive a kit, eligible families must also receive education provided by their local program. In this session, parents and caregivers receive important education on infant safe sleep practices and how to properly use the Cribette® for their baby. 

Interested families should contact their local program for more information. Click below for a listing by county of DCY-funded Cribs for Kids® programs. 

The next meeting of the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF) will take place on Thursday, February 13, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Vern Riffe Building, 77 S. High St. 19th Floor, Conference Room 1948, in downtown Columbus. 

This meeting is open to the public; but you must bring your photo identification. You may attend in person or virtually by clicking here and entering the passcode 1999. 

To review past meeting agendas, meeting minutes, and presentations, visit the OCF website. 

Do you know a young person (ages 18-26) with foster care experience who’s ready to make a difference? The National Foster Care Youth and Alumni Policy Council is looking for passionate young leaders to join us in creating real change in the foster care system. 

The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) partners with CarePortal, a technology-driven platform connecting communities with families in need. Active in 34 Ohio counties, CarePortal empowers Public Children Service Agencies (PCSAs), OhioKAN Navigators, and Parent and Youth Ambassadors (PYA) to provide critical support before or after a crisis. 

By uniting faith-based organizations, businesses, and individuals, CarePortal helps families access essentials such as bedding, appliances, and clothing, as well as specialized needs like dentures, coats, car seats, strollers, utility payments, car repair, ballet slippers, alarm clocks, and landline phones, to name a few. Caseworkers submit requests by zip code, and community responders collaborate to fulfill them. 

Offered at no cost to PCSAs, CarePortal continues to expand, with 279 churches and organizations already engaged. To learn more or get involved, watch the How It Works Video or contact Melissa Palmer at Melissa.Palmer@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov. 

Finding the right resources and services—whether statewide or local—can be overwhelming. That’s where Ohio’s Youth Navigator Network (YNN) comes in. YNN connects young people with essential resources in their area and provides direct support via chat, phone, or text to answer questions and help navigate specific situations. 

This service is available to youth and young adults up to age 23 in Ohio who have had an open case with children services, are in foster care, or have aged out of care. We encourage you to share this valuable resource with those who may benefit from it!