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For Your Awareness
DCY CIO Brittaney Carter Recognized as 2026 ORBIE Award Enterprise Finalist
DCY is proud to celebrate Brittaney Carter, our Chief Information Officer, for being named a finalist in the 2026 Ohio ORBIE Awards – Enterprise category.
The Ohio ORBIE Awards is the state’s premier technology executive recognition program, honoring CIOs who demonstrate outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in the field of technology. As a finalist in the Enterprise category, Brittaney joins an elite group of leaders recognized for driving transformative solutions that improve operations and outcomes.
“Brittaney’s leadership in technology isn’t just about systems and data—it’s about people,” said Kara Wente, DCY Director. “Her vision and innovation have a real, measurable impact on the lives of Ohio’s children and families. We couldn’t be prouder of her recognition as an ORBIE finalist.”
DCY Director Kara Wente and Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen attended the ORBIE Awards in support of Brittaney, celebrating her outstanding contributions and leadership in advancing technology across the agency.
Brittaney credits the DCY team for helping drive this progress forward.
“I am grateful to be part of a team that shows up every day committed to improving outcomes for families and supporting both our internal and external customers,” Carter said. “They’ve worked incredibly hard to balance transition work while supporting program changes and still find room to squeeze in innovation along the way.”
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Still Time to Share ORC Change Suggestions for SFY28-SFY29 Budget
DCY continues to welcome feedback on potential statutory updates to improve the administration of Department programs. If you have ideas for clarifying language, reducing barriers, improving accountability, or aligning statute with current practice, we encourage you to share them.
Submit your ideas. The survey closes March 31, 2026
Stakeholder insight plays an important role in shaping DCY’s legislative planning and priorities.
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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.
DCY Announces Release of RFGA for Cribs for Kids™ Safe Sleep Program
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) has issued a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) to identify qualified organizations to implement the Cribs for Kids™ Program statewide. This initiative aims to expand access to safe sleep education and essential safe sleep resources for vulnerable caregivers, with the overarching goal of reducing preventable infant deaths and improving infant health outcomes.
Through this funding opportunity, DCY will support community-based interventions that address unsafe sleep practices and environments, and factors known to contribute to sleep related infant mortality. Awarded subgrantees will deliver comprehensive, evidence‑informed services that include caregiver education, facilitated distribution of Safe Sleep Kits, and follow‑up support. DCY will provide Safe Sleep Kits at no cost to funded organizations to ensure consistent and equitable access to safe sleep resources.
Program activities are expected to strengthen local capacity to prevent sleep related infant deaths by increasing awareness, improving caregiver practices, and promoting safer sleep environments for Ohio’s infants.
Full RFGA details and application materials are available through the DCY Grants Management Portal.
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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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In the Know Naptime Series: Navigating Behavior: Tantrums
Parents and educators, join us as we explore practical, developmentally informed strategies to understand and respond to tantrums in young children. In this webinar, we will unpack what a child could be communicating through tantrums, learn proactive strategies to reduce the behavior, and practice responsive approaches that support safety and emotional regulation. Real-life examples will be shared to illustrate how to turn moments of tantrums into opportunities for connection, learning, and growth.
Join us on March 19 at 12:30 p.m. Don't miss out on this valuable learning opportunity!
DODD-Approved for Developmental Specialists and EI Service Coordinators.
➡️ Register now!
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Initiatives work to connect educators, families, and youth to education
services and supports.
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Teaching Strategies® Tips and Tricks, Getting Started
Has your Teaching Strategies® curriculum request been approved? Are you unsure what to do next?
Once curriculum requests are approved, while you’re awaiting your print copies of The Creative Curriculum®, Guided Edition, Teaching Strategies® will provide you with information to begin exploring your program’s digital subscription.
1. Visit Ohio Welcome - Teaching
Strategies and click on Get Started. This will provide the first steps in getting started.
2. Information for getting started with your digital account will be sent by implementation@teachingstrategies.com, which will include your program’s login credentials to smartteach.com. Unable to locate that email? Be sure to check your SPAM folder. Better yet, go ahead and add their email to your contact list!
3. Now that you’ve logged in to your digital account, register for the Getting Started Office Hours for an overview of account setup, curriculum, assessment, and navigating the platform, including accessing professional development courses.
Click here for the Getting Started Session Office Hours for Administrators.
Click here for the Getting Started Session Office Hours for Teachers.
Contact Dcy-inquiry@teachingstrategies.com for questions regarding Teaching Strategies® resources.
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COSI and DCY Invite Early Childhood Professionals for Up to Six Hours of Free Ohio Approved Professional Development on March 20 and April 6
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth is partnering with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) to present FREE training for early childhood professionals at COSI.
If you missed the previous events at COSI, you have another opportunity to attend free sessions of Story Stretchers and STEM Starters and Little Explorers + Big Ideas on March 20 and April 6. This is your chance to experience hands-on professional development around inquiry-based learning and explore COSI at the same time! One session will be offered from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. each day and the other session will be held from 1 – 4 p.m. Early childhood professionals can register for one or both sessions. Please note that if you have already received credit for either of these sessions, PD credit cannot be issued for attending a repeat session.
Educators who have attended these sessions shared how energizing it is to intentionally connect multiple domains, with one attendee noting, “I am excited to connect literacy development and storytelling with STEAM learning. I’ve never intentionally planned both at the same time, within the same lesson.”
Both events will take place at COSI in downtown Columbus. Check-in is 30 minutes prior to each session. The Atomic Café will be available to purchase lunch. As an added bonus, participants are invited to explore COSI outside of their session times. To register and for more information, click here.
This training is designed for professionals, so we ask that children not attend.
If you have questions, reach out to Melissa Courts.
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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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Grant Opportunity for Strong Families, Safe Communities
DCY is pleased to announce a grant opportunity seeking applications for the Strong Families, Safe Communities (SFSC) program. The SFSC program is designed to improve outcomes for children and youth who are at risk of out-of-home placement due to behavioral health challenges and/or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since its inception in 2013, the SFSC program has promoted collaborative, community-driven solutions by bringing together local systems to support children, empower families, and strengthen communities.
This funding opportunity seeks proposals from multi-county, cross-system collaboratives to design and implement community-based services and supports for children, youth, and families. Proposed services and supports may include:
- Youth peer support
- Natural supports for youth and caregivers
- Parent peer support and education
- Respite services
- Home-based, school-based, or community-based services.
This request for grant applications is open to Family and Children First Councils, County Boards of Developmental Disabilities, County Mental Health and Addiction Services Boards, and Community Behavioral Health Providers. The RFGA is available here: Strong Families, Safe Communities Grant Opportunity. Applications are due April 8, 2026.
Women Empowering Women of Seneca County Creates Community, Confidence, and Connection
Women Empowering Women (WEW) of Seneca County continues to make a meaningful impact in the Tiffin and Fostoria communities by creating a safe, uplifting space where women of all backgrounds can come together to grow and support one another. Led by the Seneca County Family and Children First Council, WEW focuses on practical life skills, personal growth, self-care, and mutual encouragement.
Through workshops and activities, participants build confidence, resilience, and lasting connections that help reduce barriers and support overall wellness. WEW is a truly community-driven program that welcomes women of all ages and walks of life. Meetings are held monthly in both Tiffin and Fostoria. Childcare and dinner are provided at every gathering, allowing women the opportunity to focus on themselves and connect with others.
One member expressed gratitude for a new job and shared how attending WEW events with her daughter helped her gain the confidence to step outside her comfort zone and return to working outside the home. She described the program as a meaningful way to grow personally and professionally while bonding with her daughter each month.
One elderly participant on a limited income shared how much she looks forward to the meetings, noting that the program allows her to learn, have fun, meet new people, and get out of the house, something she deeply values.
To learn more, visit the Women Empowering Women (WEW) of Seneca County Facebook page.
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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.
Rules Go Into Effect
New substitute care rules in Chapter 42 will become effective on March 14, 2026, and will be posted to the Official Letters & Guidance | Department of Children and Youth (Transmittal Letter 79).
Community Leaders and Caregivers Invited to First-Ever KinFirst Convening in Newark
Kinnect, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening families and advancing kinship-centered solutions, will host its inaugural KinFirst Convening on Friday, March 27, 2026 from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., at the Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark, Ohio. The KinFirst Convening will bring together kinship caregivers, family advocates, social service professionals, and legal partners to strengthen collaboration and advance solutions that center children within their families and kin networks.
The KinFirst Convening will feature expert speakers, interactive sessions, and opportunities to connect with others committed to expanding kinship-first practices across Ohio and beyond. Attendees will explore strategies for building a network of care that honors family bonds, reduces barriers to permanency, and affirms that “You belong here!” at every stage of a child’s journey.
Registration is open now through March 13, 2026. Those interested are encouraged to secure their spot soon, as space is limited. Click here to learn more about the event, featured speakers, and to save your seat for March 27 in Newark, Ohio. You belong here!
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Reminder: Title IV-E Federal Review Training Continues This Week
DCY’s Title IV-E training series continues as part of statewide preparation for the November 2026 federal review.
Upcoming sessions:
- March 5, 2026 – Eligibility Documentation & Verification Standards
- March 19, 2026 – Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP) Assessment Alignment
- April 2, 2026 – Case Record Completeness and Internal Audit Case Review Process
These trainings are designed to support readiness for the federal review and strengthen documentation, eligibility, and case review practices. Additional details, including training links, are available in DCY Memo 26-008.
Juvenile Court Judges Invite Counties to Participate in Regional Child Welfare Collaboration Trainings
The Supreme Court of Ohio’s Children and Families Section, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, invites juvenile courts, public children services agencies, and community partners to participate in a free full-day regional training focused on enhancing cross-system collaboration to improve outcomes for children and families.
About the Training
This immersive, team-based session will help counties strengthen local partnerships and advance progress on action plans developed during the Summit on Children and the Kids Summit. Each workshop includes:
- Facilitated presentations on effective collaboration and stakeholder roles
- Team planning time to revisit action steps and set 6- and 12-month goals
- Individualized technical assistance for each team
- County report-outs to share progress and innovations
Dates & Locations
Each session runs from 9am to 4pm on the following dates/locations:
- April 22, 2026 – Akron
- April 23, 2026 – Toledo
- May 4, 2026 – Miamisburg
- May 14, 2026 – Columbus
Important Note for PCSA Directors
Participation is by judicial invitation only. Each juvenile court judge will identify six team members for attendance, and PCSA directors are strongly encouraged to be part of these teams. If you have not received an invitation, please reach out to your local juvenile court judge to express interest. Sometimes judges have received the invitation but may not have opened or acted on it—your outreach can make the difference in ensuring your agency is represented.
More Details & Registration
For full details, registration links, and contact information click the flyer.
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.
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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.
DCY Represents Ohio at White House for Fostering the Future Initiative
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Jordan Deaton, former foster youth, current Bridges participant, and Ohio Youth Advisory Board (YAB) Youth Ambassador, Jordan's Bridges advocate Lisa Carlin, and DCY Assistant Director Jeff Van Deusen visited the White House February 3.
Ohio was one of a select number of states invited to the White House by the Office of the First Lady and the Administration for Families and Children (ACF) in recognition of First Lady Melania Trump’s Fostering the Future initiative, part of her Be Best program.
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During the visit, they met with Sarah Gesiriech, the First Lady’s Policy Director; Alex Adams, Assistant Secretary of ACF; and Cody Inman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Management, along with other advocates, to discuss initiatives that will enhance foster youth’s access to services and help them transition effectively after foster care. Assistant Director Van Deusen also highlighted several programs implemented in Ohio that support the Fostering the Future initiative. The day concluded with a private tour of the White House.
Pictured top right: From left to right: Lisa Carlin, Jordan Deaton, and Jeff Van Deusen
Pictured bottom left: From left to right: Left to right: Cody Inman, Jordan Deaton, Alex J. Adams, and Jeff Van Deusen.
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Every Child Seen: How Ohio’s Foster Youth are Supported Through Partnership
The Departments of Children and Youth and Education and Workforce are providing an education session for an introduction and refresher regarding the educational stability for youth in foster care on April 15, 2026, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Morgan High School, 800 Raider Dr, McConnelsville, Ohio. The session will cover basic provisions included in ESSA, expanded understanding of the role of district foster care liaisons, the importance of partnership, and an opportunity to network and collaborate.
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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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