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Issue 43: September 16, 2025 |
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For Your Awareness
Educators, Children Services, and Court Personnel Invited to Refresher/Networking Session
Valuable topics such as foster care, English learners, and homelessness will be part of the discussion presented by the Ohio Departments of Education and Workforce and Children and Youth.
A Conversation About All Things Education Introduction & Refresher is designed for education staff, public children services agency (PCSA) staff, and court personnel and will include information about relevant laws and updated no-regulatory guidance that can support highly-mobile students.
There will be discussion of the successes and barriers with the partnerships between local education agencies and PCSA staff, and there will be time for networking between these professionals.
The session will take place September 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Highland County Department of Job and Family Services. For more information on the location and how to register, click on this flyer.
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Maternal & Infant Wellness |
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Programs focus on improving birth outcomes and improving the health status of
pregnant women, infants, and children to ensure more moms and babies
celebrate the child's first birthday.
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Helping More Babies Get to One
As the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) marks September as Infant Mortality Awareness Month, DCY Director Kara Wente shares a message of hope with families who have experienced loss. Click on the photo to watch her video message.
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Ohio's Fetal Mortality Rate Trending Downward, According to New Stillbirth Report
Since 2014, there has been an average annual decrease of 1.1% per year in the number of fetal deaths in Ohio. This is hopeful news, as the Ohio Department of Children and Youth listens to moms, provides programs, and partners with agencies across the state to help more babies reach their first birthday.
The entire 2023 Ohio Stillbirth Report will be released when Ohio marks Stillbirth Awareness Day on Friday, September 19, which Governor Mike DeWine designated as part of House Bill 4.
- That year, Ohio’s stillbirth rate was 6.1 per 1,000 live births and fetal
deaths. The US rate was 5.5.
- The stillbirth rate in non-Hispanic Black women is more than twice that of
non-Hispanic White women (10.9 versus 5.0).
- The cause of death is unknown in about a third of stillbirths.
- Among known causes, the most common cause of death is complications
related to the placenta, cord, and membranes.
- Women with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension
had higher rates of stillbirth
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Early Childhood Development |
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The Early Childhood Development programs provide technical assistance, education, and referrals for families and youth with evaluations regarding specific needs and disabilities.
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Success Story: Making Milestones Through Early Intervention
This smiley, energetic 13-month-old has been receiving Early Intervention services for six months. Her primary service provider is an occupational therapist to support her overall motor development and monitor feeding needs. Born at 34 weeks gestation, she and her twin sister arrived about six weeks early, and she required a one-month NICU stay to support her early growth and development.
She has a medical condition that impacts her growth and development and a genetic condition impacting her muscle tone and motor development, as well as contributing to feeding delays.
Despite these challenges, she is full of life and keeps her parents on their toes! She vocalizes her moods clearly whether she’s happy, sad, silly, or mad and her smile and infectious laugh light up the room. She is working hard to improve her head and trunk control so she can sit independently and is gradually adjusting to being in a crawling position to increase her mobility.
Through Early Intervention’s evidence-based approach, the family is actively involved in her progress. Coaching focuses on modeling strategies during daily routines, helping caregivers use everyday moments to support developmental progress. For children birth to age 3, play is their primary “occupation,” and these strategies are built into play-based routines to promote learning through exploration and fun.
This family has embraced the process, and sessions are filled with collaborative coaching and meaningful engagement. The occupational therapist reports that this little one now shows significantly improved strength and tolerance for sitting and crawling positions. She's also quick to express her opinions especially when she’s not a fan of certain positions by wiggling and protesting in her own playful way!
Thanks to the dedication of her caregivers, the support of the Early Intervention team, and her own determination, this child is making wonderful progress. Her story highlights the powerful impact of family-centered Early Intervention and the value of play-based learning in helping young children meet developmental milestones.
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Initiatives work to connect educators, families, and youth to education
services and supports.
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Parents Can Sign Up Newborns for Free Books When They Fill Out Birth Certificate
Ohio First Lady Fran DeWine announced a new statewide initiative designed to enroll more Ohio children immediately after birth in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio. Studies have shown that books in the home, such as the books the Imagination Library provides to children from birth to age five, and more reading can increase Kindergarten Readiness Assessment scores.
First Lady DeWine made the announcement that signing up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program is now part of the Ohio birth certificate paperwork process during the 2025 First Lady’s Luncheon. Governor DeWine also participated in the program, along with country music legend Zac Brown.
“Research has shown that 80 percent of a child’s brain is developed by age three, so we want to get books into the home as early as possible in order to have the most impact,” said First Lady DeWine. “I am thrilled to announce that now, as part of the Ohio birth certificate process, moms and dads will learn about Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio and have the chance to sign up at the hospital before they head home with their newborns. One simple checkmark will give Ohio’s little ones a great start in life.”
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Teaching Strategies Tips and Tricks –Onboarding Program Opportunities
Teaching Strategies offers an onboarding program for both administrators and educators through the Professional Development Teacher Membership (PDTM). Participation in Leadership Launchpad for administrators and leaders or the Teacher Acceleration Program, or TAP, for educators includes:
- Attending a weekly, live class led by your dedicated Mentor
- Responding to weekly discussion prompts
- Attending optional Office Hours for individualized, responsive support
- Signing up for an optional 1:1 with your Mentor
- Offering support and inspiration to your fellow educators
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Leadership Launchpad Program
Who: Administrators and leaders with a PDTM
What: Six-week onboarding program for administrators and leaders
Where: The Hub
When: New cohorts each month
How: to Register
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Teacher Acceleration Program (TAP)
Who: Educators with a PDTM
What: Eight-week onboarding program for educators
Where: The Hub
When: Next round of cohorts begins October 6, 2025
How: The Hub > TAP menu > Getting Started with TAP to Register
Visit The Hub to register for the next available cohort!
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From Preschool Special Education:
Open Office Hours
The Department of Children and Youth’s Preschool Special Education Team invites educators, school personnel, early childhood professionals, and educational service providers to attend our upcoming open office hours on Wednesday, September 24, from 3 to 4 p.m.
These monthly sessions offer a dedicated space to ask questions and engage in discussions related to the provision of preschool special education services for children with disabilities, ages three through five.
Office hours will be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month, except November and December, due to the winter holidays.
We look forward to connecting with you and supporting your work with young learners.
Use this Microsoft Teams meeting link. Meeting ID: 298 784 751 338 5
New Preschool Special Ed Videos Available
We are excited to share the final installment of our Preschool Special Education 101: From Rule to Implementation video series. These videos cover important topics such as transportation for children with disabilities and the delivery of services.
The videos will discuss the Individualized Education Program (IEP) team’s role in considering the need for transportation for a preschool child with a disability. This service is built into the IEP, providing access to the preschool program or services when necessary. Additionally, we will discuss the various options for providing instructional and related services (e.g., speech, occupational, or physical therapy) in preschool, all of which are built into your IEP. We will review the placement decisions to ensure your child can access free, appropriate public education (FAPE) with access to the general education curriculum in the child’s least restrictive environment. We are here for you!
Video 1: Transportation of Preschool Children with Disabilities
Video 2: Delivery of Services
Need to contact the DCY Preschool Special Education Team?
Email: preschoolspecialeducation@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
Phone: (844) 234-KIDS or (844) 234-(5437) – Option 3
Website: Preschool Special Education | Department of Children and Youth
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Family Support & Stabilization |
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Focuses on enhancing the resources and supports available to parents and families.
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Ohio Commission on Fatherhood Encourages Dads to Walk Kids to School on Thursday, Sept 18
Each September, the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood (OCF) invites all fathers and male mentors to participate in the Fathers Walk, walking or, when not possible, driving their children to their early childhood programs and schools.
Research shows 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.
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Children Services, Foster, Kinship, and Adoption |
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Children Services, Foster, Kinship, and Adoption programs provide caregivers with support via resources for their individualized needs.
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Governor DeWine Honors Kinship Caregivers in New Video
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As part of Grandparent/Kinship Month, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine sent a heart-felt video message to all Kinship Caregivers across the state, thanking them for opening their hearts and homes to children in need. Click on the photo to watch the message. |
The Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity is Reopening to Approved Kinship Caregivers
This funding opportunity offers financial support to address the needs of both new and existing kinship homes. Using a financial incentive approach, it focuses on supporting Approved Kinship Caregiver Supports with the goal of increasing and retaining kinship caregivers for youth involved with an Ohio public children services agency (PCSA).
The Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity is administered by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth through a contract with Ohio Children's Alliance.
While attendance is not mandatory, agencies who support kinship caregivers are strongly encouraged to join the upcoming information session to learn more about the application process. Please use this link to register: Menu of Supports Funding Opportunity for Approved Kinship Caregivers.
Important Dates for Pathway 2B: Kinship Caregiver Supports
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Agencies Recommending Kinship Caregivers Information Session: October 8, 2025
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Application Launch: October 20, at 10 a.m.
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Application Deadline: December 1, at 5 p.m.
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Kinship Worker Submission Deadline: December 8, at 5 p.m.
For more information, visit the website.
Please note: This funding opportunity is available only to Approved Kinship Caregivers who have not previously received this funding. A separate opportunity for Treatment Foster Parents will be announced at a future date.
Correction: Munoz Reappointed to Commission on Fatherhood
In our last issue we incorrectly reported the commissioners reappointed by Governor Mike DeWine to the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood.
Retired Airforce, Lt. Colonel Pedro Munoz, Scott Neely, and Ann Ream, were each reappointed for two-year terms.
OCF statutorily seats 20 members to include the Ohio Department of Children and Youth Director Kara Wente. She has designated both Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen and Ohio Government and External Affairs Officer Joel Potts to represent DCY.
For more information about OCF’s commissioners, click here.
Facilitators Available to Help PCSAs Launch Youth-Centered Permanency Roundtables
Kinnect now offers Statewide Facilitators to help Public Children Service Agencies (PCSAs) launch or expand Youth-Centered Permanency Roundtables (YCPRT). YCPRTs place young people—ages 12+ who have been in custody for 12 months or more—at the center of their own permanency journey. With the support of a trained facilitator, youth lead the conversation, identify key adults to include and build lasting connections toward both relational and legal permanency. Informational sessions will be held on September 23, at
9 a.m. and September 24, at 1 p.m. to explore the values used in YCPRTs and what to expect in roundtable meetings. Learn more and register to attend the informational sessions here.
We want your feedback on the CAPM Tools!
The Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is reviewing how the Comprehensive Assessment Planning Model (CAPM) tools are working in practice.
It is critical for DCY to have input from our partners and colleagues that utilize these tools every day and work directly with children and families. DCY created a short survey (3–5 minutes) for each CAPM tool. Please complete a survey for every tool you use.
Click the links below to share your feedback on one or all of the surveys.
Surveys will be open through the close of business on October 16, 2025. Ideally, staff responsible for investigation/assessment and ongoing casework and supervision should participate in these surveys; however, all are welcome to participate.
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Traverse Deep Dive Webinar Training
Traverse users at Public Children Services Agencies are welcome to register for the next quarterly Traverse Deep Dive Training Webinar on September 25 from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. During this 60-minute session, you’ll complete a deep dive into work items, including how workers can route content to other agency users, set due dates, and add instructions. You will also navigate the personal workspace where all work items live and explore work sharing, automatic work routing, and advanced workflows.
At the end of the webinar, we’ll have a "Bring Your Own Problem (BYOP)" session where participants can ask questions about how Traverse can improve their business processes.
Counties Celebrate Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week
As part of Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week last week, staff across the Buckeye State were showered with appreciation.
Thanks to all of you who DO WHAT'S RIGHT FOR KIDS!
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Programs are designed to provide support for teens and young adults who either are in foster care or have aged out of foster care systems and need assistance.
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Youth Leadership Retreat Coming to Southern Ohio in October
A Southeast Ohio Youth Leadership Retreat for current and former foster youth (ages 14–24) is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Lodge at Hocking College, 15770 OH-691, Nelsonville, OH 45764.
This free retreat will give youth the chance to:
- Discover their personal leadership style
- Learn about the value of youth advisory boards
- Explore ways to share their voices at the statewide level
Click on this flyer for registration information and more details about the event. Please reach out to Lisa Dickson at lisa@fosteractionohio.org with any questions.
Make It Count: Use CHAFEE & TANF Independent Living Funds by September 30
Maximize your agency’s impact by ensuring all remaining Chafee and TANF Independent Living (IL) funds are spent by September 30, 2025. These funds support youth 14 and older in custody and 18 to 21-year-olds who have emancipated. Every dollar of Chafee and TANF Independent Living (IL) funding can make a meaningful impact when directed toward essential supports for foster youth.
Eligible expenses include housing assistance such as rent and security deposits, utility payments, groceries, and furniture. Funds may also be used for education-related costs, supplies, and technology, as well as employment training, career workshops, and professional attire for interviews. Transportation support—including driver’s education, licensing fees, car purchases or repairs, and public transit passes—is also allowable. With the September 30, 2025, deadline approaching, now is the time to ensure your agency’s budget is used effectively to support these youth and young adults. Below are key guidelines for eligible expenditures.
Chafee Funds - Rule 5101:9-6-35 - Ohio Administrative Code | Ohio Laws
- Can be used for staff salaries
- Car purchases allowed (up to $28,000) if tied to the youth’s IL plan
- Room & board (rent/security deposits) capped at 30% of budget
TANF IL Funds - Rule 5101:9-6-08.6 - Ohio Administrative Code | Ohio Laws
- Used car purchases allowed for employed youth
- Car repairs up to $2,000
- Furniture purchases up to $1,000
- Cannot be used for staff salaries
If you need help identifying eligible expenses or ideas for using remaining funds, contact the Transitional Age Youth (TAY) team at transitional-youth-programs@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
Make every dollar count before the deadline Tuesday September 30!
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