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Issue 55: February 17, 2026 |
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For Your Awareness
Reminder: Share Your Ideas for Future ORC Changes
In case you missed it, DCY is gathering stakeholder input on potential Ohio Revised Code changes for consideration in the SFY 2028–2029 budget process. We are looking for feedback on statutory language that may create barriers, be outdated, or could be improved to better support children, families, and providers.
Submit feedback at this link no later than March 31, 2026.
Your input helps DCY identify opportunities to strengthen programs and improve service delivery across Ohio.
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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 moms and babies celebrate the child’s first birthday.
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Free Early Childhood Mental Health Training Focusing on Stress Management
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Master Trainer Team is offering a day of free virtual training for all early care and education professionals on Wednesday, February 25. The theme for this training day is "Stress Management." All sessions offer OA credit. The deadline to register is Monday, February 23. View the flyer for more details.
Ohio Department of Behavioral Health Offering Trauma Training
Ohio-based behavioral health professionals who provide services to children and youth with trauma exposure are invited to earn 12.5 CE credits during a training series beginning March 9.
The training consists of 12 live, virtual, instructor-led consultation calls occurring twice a month. All consultation hours must be completed before September 30, 2026.
For requirements, prerequisites, and registration information, please click this informational flyer.
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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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Early Intervention Credentialing Resources for You!
DCY and OCCRRA have developed a tool called the CPD Tracker that will assist Early Intervention professionals with tracking their professional development and expedite application processing. Beginning March 2, 2026, completion of this tool will be required for individuals renewing a 5-Year EISC, EISC Supervisor, and DS certification.
Additionally, the following new resources are available to assist EISCs and DSs with the application process:
More information regarding these resources can be found in the 2/3/26 EI Biweekly Program update and Early Intervention Credential page on the OCCRRA website.
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Virtual Early Childhood Transition Summit Series Starting in March
OCALI’s Center for the Young Child is hosting a three-part virtual summit series focused on strengthening transitions for young children and their families. All sessions begin at 9 a.m. and last 90 minutes.
- March 13 — Terminology, Eligibility, Program Planning
- April 17 — Service Provision Essentials
- May 8 — Teaming & Collaboration
This series is designed for:
- Early Intervention Administrators and Service Coordinators
- Local Education Agencies (LEAs), including Early Childhood Educators, Supervisors, Providers, and State Support Teams (SSTs)
- Head Start Personnel
- Family & Children First Council Representatives
- Parent Educators and Mentors
- All professionals supporting families with transition
Pending DODD CPDU approval for development specialists and EI service coordinators
Pending Ohio Approval
Register Now!
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Initiatives work to connect educators, families, and youth to education
services and supports.
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Partners and Providers Invited to Share Feedback
Updated licensing rules and field guides are now available for stakeholder clearance. The clearance period will run February 13–27, and DCY encourages partners and providers to review the materials and share feedback to help inform final rule development. Please find the postings under Proposed Rules and Clearance Packages.
Children with Disabilities and Their Families Find Opportunities and Support
The Center to Advance Family Engagement (CAFÉ) is committed to building strong partnerships between families and schools so every child, especially those with disabilities from highly mobile backgrounds, can succeed. CAFE's mission is to make family engagement simple, effective, and meaningful by working closely with schools and families. Family CAFÉ guides families through special education processes so students with disabilities are included, supported, and given every opportunity to learn and grow. CAFE believes that students thrive when families are part of the decision-making process. The project has developed practical tools, resources, and training for families and educators, including:
- Training for Families and Educators: empowering parents to understand their rights and roles and helping schools include families in planning and problem-solving.
- Practical Resources: websites, guides, and sample policies ready for immediate use.
- Community Support: opportunities for families and educators to connect, share experiences, and build strong networks.
- Coaching and Technical Assistance: personalized support for schools seeking to improve family engagement practices.
Visit www.thefamilycafe.org for more information. Currently, our direct work with schools and families is happening in districts connected with Ohio’s North Point Educational Service Center. If you work with parents of a child with a disability in the North Point region and need support or services, CAFE wants to hear from you: info@thefamilycafe.org.
Educators and Leaders Gather for County Kindergarten Readiness Summit
Preparing Ohio's youngest learners for kindergarten is a critical foundation for school success. Warren County Head Start, a program that has served children for 60 years, has proudly spent the past 29 years hosting the Kindergarten Readiness Summit and prioritizing kindergarten readiness through strong collaboration.
Last month, the Warren County Community Services (WCCS) Early Learning Centers hosted the Summit, bringing together nearly 100 educators and leaders from seven of their eight local school districts to talk about an important transition: moving from Head Start into kindergarten.
School partners shared thoughtful, practical ways they’re supporting families during this transition—everything from open houses and information nights to screenings, preschool and kindergarten teachers connecting with each other, and gathering preschool teacher input on each student to ensure each child gets the support they need.
Lynanne Gutierrez, CEO of Groundwork Ohio, served as the keynote speaker and shared powerful reminders of why early learning matters so much, such as:
- 90% of brain development happens before age five
- For every $1 invested in Head Start, $7–$10 is returned in economic benefits
Pictured from left to right: Lynanne Gutierrez, Groundwork Ohio; Lori Jones-Perkins, Head Start Collaboration Office Director at Ohio’s Department of Children and Youth; Julie Stone, Executive Director of the Ohio Head Start Association, Inc.; and Stacy Dixon, Director, Early Learning at Warren County Community Services, Inc.
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Preschool Special Education Itinerant Services
What are Itinerant Services?
Itinerant Services for a preschool child who is eligible for special education services means services provided by intervention specialists or related services personnel which occur in the setting where the child, the child and parent(s), or the child and caregiver are located.
Itinerant services occur when the service provider travels to the child’s learning environment. For example, itinerant services occur when a speech therapist provides specially designed instruction for the child at the Head Start where the child attends preschool. In this example the itinerant related service provider travels to the Head Start and supports the child and/or the teacher in order for the child to access, participate, and make progress in the child’s preschool general education curriculum.
What services are not Itinerant Services?
Itinerant Services are a service delivery model (method for providing special education services) and are not a place on the least restrictive environment continuum.
Services that take place at a service provider’s location of practice do not count as itinerant services. For example, itinerant services are not occurring when a parent takes a child weekly to the speech therapist’s office located at an educational agency.
In what environments do Itinerant Services take place?
- Public School Preschool General Education Class
- Public School Preschool Integrated Class
- Non-public School Preschool
- Head Start
- Home
Resource: Support for LRE section of Preschool Rule
Preschool Assessment Updates
This message contains important updates for the Data Managers and Administrators connected to ECE Grantee and Preschool Special Education funded programs.
Spring Assessment Window The Spring 2026 assessment administration window opened Feb. 15 and ends May 14. The deadline to submit data will close June 15.
TEACHER TRAINING
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Early Learning Assessment: The Early Learning Assessment Teacher training is available online on demand. It can be found on the OCCRRA website. Teachers will need to sign in and search for the Early Learning Assessment Essentials training or by using ST# 10146132.
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Teaching Strategies GOLD: Teaching Strategies offers a variety of videos and trainings. Use GOLD Ready-Set-Go! Videos to learn more about GOLD at a glance, how to add documentation, and more. If you are under the DCY Teaching Strategies account with access to Professional Development in SmartTeach, additional trainings are in the Develop section.
REPORTING RESOURCES
Use the ELA Score Entry and Reporting to access reporting forms, how to videos, and additional resources.
Programs using Teaching Strategies GOLD can use the links provided to access additional resources:
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS BY FUNDING SOURCE
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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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Montgomery County Hosts Fatherhood Summit
Licensed social workers, fatherhood practitioners, and other family-serving supporters attended the annual Montgomery County Fatherhood Summit at Sinclair College last month.
DCY's Tara Shook and Kim Dent presented at the event, hosted by the Montgomery County Office of Strategic Initiatives, the fatherhood organization which is a SEE (Serving, Educating, and Empowering) Fathers grantee funded by the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood.
Tara presented a workshop focused on fathers and children services, and Kim provided opening remarks. Attendees heard research and statistics showing the importance of father presence in the lives of their children.
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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 Announces New Child Wellness Campuses to Keep Children Closer to Home
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara Wente announced funding support for six child wellness campuses across Ohio. The campuses will provide short-term, therapeutic care for children and youth with complex needs, helping keep them closer to their families, schools, and communities.
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Reminder: Title IV-E Cost Report Submission Past Due
DCY continues to require agencies seeking to be a Title IV-E reimbursement setting to complete and submit the cost report. Each agency receiving a Title IV-E foster care reimbursement ceiling amount must submit the DCY 02911 “Title IV-E Single Cost Report,” including all required supplements and attachments, in accordance with OAC 5180:2-47-26.1 and 5180:2-47-26.2. The report was due December 31, 2025. Agencies should refer to Procedure Letter 419 and the DCY 02911-I for guidance to complete the report.
Looking ahead, House Bill 96 permits DCY to establish statewide rate cards for congregate care settings. The Department anticipates implementing rate cards in State Fiscal Year 2027 (SFY27). Additional information and implementation guidance will be provided in advance.
For questions regarding the cost report process, please contact Ryan.Meanor@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.
DCY Announces New Residential Staff Core Training
DCY is excited to announce the release of the Residential Staff Core Training, a new curriculum designed to support professionals working in DCY-certified residential agencies, including child care staff and administrators/supervisors of a certified residential agency.
This easily accessible training strengthens the skills of residential staff to better meet the daily needs of the youth they serve. The curriculum was strategically structured from existing trainings to help meet requirements in the Ohio Administrative Code (OAC), provide an overview of applicable OAC standards, and support staff to effectively work with youth in residential settings. Training topics range from building healthy relationships to engaging with families and applying critical thinking skills.
The Residential Staff Core Training is available now through CAPS LMS.
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Upcoming Trainings to Prepare for the Title IV-E Federal Review
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is preparing Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs) and Title IV-E courts for the upcoming Title IV-E Federal Review scheduled for November 2026. To support statewide readiness, DCY will host a series of virtual training sessions.
Upcoming sessions include:
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February 26, 2026 – Title IV-E Foster Care Maintenance (FCM) Federal Review Overview
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March 5, 2026 – Eligibility Documentation & Verification Standards
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March 19, 2026 – Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Assessment Alignment
Additional details, including training links, are available in DCY Memo 26-008.
Important information for Public Children Services Agencies (PCSAs) regarding Medicaid impacting children who were adopted or have an active case in the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KGAP)
Due to the recent changes in requirements, the Ohio Department of Medicaid (ODM) may require adoptive parents and KGAP caregivers to provide documentation verifying U.S. citizenship to ODM upon request. Failure to provide the requested documentation could result in termination of Medicaid coverage.
We encourage our county partners to share this information with the identified caregivers to make them aware of this potential requirement and encourage them to prepare accordingly. When appropriate and feasible, PCSAs may also share information or resources on how caregivers can obtain documents such as:
- Birth certificates
- Social Security cards
Providing timely information to caregivers may help prevent disruptions in Medicaid coverage. If there are questions, please contact Ohio SACWIS Medicaid TA through the Customer Care Center (CCC).
Rules Being Readopted
The following rules will go into effective on March 5, 2026, and will be posted to the Official Letters & Guidance | Department of Children and Youth (Transmittal Letter 67). These rules are being rescinded and readopted under the same number due to their five-year rule review and updated to question-and-answer format for increased clarity.
- OAC 5180:2-5-07 “Denial, revocation or suspension of an agency's certificate or certification to perform specific functions; administrative closures,” provides guidance on the process and requirements for suspension, revocation or denial of an agency. Language was added to address the suspension of the agency.
- OAC 5180:2-5-28 “Agency cause for denial, revocation, or suspension of foster home certification,” provides guidance on the process and requirements for revocation, denial, or suspension of a foster caregiver. Language was added to address the suspension of a caregiver’s certificate.
Interface Updates Among Topics of Upcoming Medicaid Town Hall
Public Children Services Agencies are welcome to join the upcoming monthly Medicaid OB Interface Town Hall on March 2 from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. This one-hour session will provide an opportunity to review projected updates to the interface and Ohio SACWIS-related functionality as well as discuss questions regarding the Medicaid OB Interface system.
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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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No Wrong Door: Making It Easier for Washington County Families to Access Services
Navigating social service systems can be complex and overwhelming, often leaving individuals and families feeling frustrated or discouraged when seeking help. To address these challenges, Washington County launched the No Wrong Door Initiative in 2023 and has continued to expand and strengthen the program since its inception. The No Wrong Door philosophy ensures that when people reach out for assistance, they are connected to the services they need, regardless of which agency they contact first.
Save the Date: Leadership and
Life Skills Summit
The 2026 Leadership and Life Skills Summit, for current and former foster youth (ages 14-24), is scheduled for Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Columbus North in Worthington, 6500 Doubletree Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 43229.
The event will be focused on informing and empowering Ohio teens and young adults with foster care experience. Registration will begin on Friday, May 1, 2026. Please contact Lisa Dickson, adult supporter, with any questions.
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If you have questions about the content above, please reach out to info@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) is committed to access, inclusion, and reasonable accommodation in all programs and activities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). To request an accommodation, contact the meeting organizer or DCY's ADA Coordinator, at DCY.HumanResources@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov or 614-728-2832 (TTY 711) at least 14 days before the event.
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