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News and Updates Impacting Multiple Program Areas
July 2026 Release for the Grants Management System
This memo announces updates to the Grants Management System coming July 21, 2026. Changes include clearer field names, a new required indirect cost rate field, improved SSID search, removal of the Certificate of Liability requirement, and new notifications for budget rejections and upcoming tasks. Updated guidance will be available on the Contracts website, and questions can be sent to the Contracts team.
Visit the DCY Booth at the Ohio State Fair!
We’re excited to debut our brand-new theme, “Making Waves for Ohio’s Kids,” at this year’s Ohio State Fair! Dive into the Bricker Building between July 29 and August 9 to explore everything the Department of Children and Youth has to offer!
Come make a splash with DCY as you check out our interactive displays, learn about resources for families, and catch the wave of new programs designed to support Ohio’s kids. Whether you’re dropping by to soak up information, wading into something new, or simply riding the tide of summer fun, we’d love to see you!
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Updates by Program Area
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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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New Name, Same Commitment to Safe Sleep
DCY is excited to announce a new name for our infant safe sleep program: Every Baby Sleeps Safe. The new name reflects our ongoing commitment to helping families create safe sleep environments for infants across Ohio and replaces Cribs for Kids.
Every Baby Sleeps Safe will continue providing safe sleep education, support, and resources. Eligible families and caregivers can receive portable cribs and education to help reduce sleep-related infant deaths, along with referrals to home visiting programs that offer additional no-cost support. While the name has changed, our mission remains the same: every baby deserves a safe place to sleep.
By choosing a name that clearly communicates our purpose, we hope to strengthen awareness of safe infant sleep practices and better connect with families.
Ohio Comprehensive Home Visiting Integrated Data System NFPx Release
This release announces the NFPx expansion in OCHIDS, allowing services for women beyond 28 weeks of pregnancy and those with previous children. Updates include new eligibility options in Central Intake, a required NFPx Enrollment form at the first home visit, and revisions to the Encounter and Prenatal/Maternal Health tools. The release will go live July 29, 2026. Users can find the NFPx User Guide and get support through the Customer Care Center.
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Ohio Council to Advance Maternal Health Newsletter and Charter
Please see the July OH-CAMH Newsletter and the updated OH-CAMH Charter. The updates to the charter reflect feedback from active members about OH-CAMH's purpose and strategic plan, gathered throughout 2024 and 2025. The revised charter provides an updated foundation to guide the work of OH-CAMH.
DCY Releases Ultrasound Machine Grant Opportunity
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth has released a grant application for Pregnancy Resource Centers and Ohio Parenting and Pregnancy providers to purchase ultrasound machines.
Funding will be provided to grantees before the purchase is made; however, grantees must provide proof of purchase to retain the funding. Grantees may purchase their own machine(s), and each applicant may receive up to $60,000 per physical location. A total of $2.5 million is available during this state fiscal year.
The initial application period will remain open for 30 days. If funding remains available, the application will reopen. Grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to applicants who meet the requirements outlined in the grant agreement.
The grant application can be found here: Ohio Grants: Funding Opportunity.
Questions about the application should be directed to Procurement_Inquiries@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.
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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 Biweekly Program Updates
This update includes information about a sensory friendly day at the Ohio State Fair, service delivery and monitoring resources, the August 1 Local Education Agency (LEA) reporting requirement, the June 29 Breakfast Club call, and the 2026 Family Questionnaire.
Ohio Approved Credit Webinar Ohio’s Special Needs Enhanced Payment Rate
Supporting Children. Empowering Programs. Strengthening Families.
Please join ElevateDD and DCY for an educational webinar on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. covering the upcoming changes to Ohio’s Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) Special Needs Enhanced Payment Rate, which take effect on August 1, 2026.
This session is designed to help families, providers, and community partners understand the updated program and navigate the application process. Participants will learn what the Special Needs Enhanced Payment Rate is, who qualifies, how to apply, what documentation is required, and how Ohio PROMISE supports inclusive early care and education and provider eligibility.
Use this link to register and receive Ohio Approved Credit.
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Initiatives work to connect educators, families, and youth to education
services and supports.
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Save the Date: Kindergarten Reading Assessment Refresher Training
A Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA) Refresher Training will be held on August 13 from 1–2:30 p.m. DCY highly recommends that administrators and district personnel who have previously completed an official Kindergarten Readiness Assessment teacher training attend this webinar. Participants will be required to enter their Ohio Educator State ID during registration. If you do not know your ID, you can look it up in your Educator Profile.
This webinar will review the steps needed to set up teachers and students for success in administering either the KRA R2 (short) or the KRA 2.0 (full) assessment.
August 2026 Hot Topic
The Department of Children and Youth is hosting the next Hot Topic in August, focusing on Early Care and Education Screening and Referral Processes. Hot Topics was created to provide technical assistance and guidance to early care and education programs.
Please join us on Tuesday, August 11, from 1 - 2 p.m.
Topic: Screening & Referral Processes
Use the Hot Topics August 2026 link to join.
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New Early Care & Education Field Guides Posted
The Early Care & Education (ECE) Field Guides are now posted! ECE providers and programs can access their setting‑specific Field Guide, aligned with rules effective July 1, 2026. The Field Guide is designed to support programs and providers by outlining policies and practices used during monitoring of regulations. Click the link corresponding to your ECE setting to begin using the Field Guide and elevate your program’s rule compliance and the quality of experiences for children and youth.
Please reach out to your DCY licensing specialist with any questions.
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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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Statewide Ohio 211 Expansion Complete
Ohio 211 is now available in all 88 counties, providing free, 24/7 connections to local resources for food, housing, health care, transportation, and more. This statewide expansion ensures every Ohioan has access to compassionate, local support when they need it most. Ohio 211 has also launched a new Data Dashboard, giving community leaders valuable insights into emerging needs across the state while protecting caller privacy. Since January 2025, Ohio 211 has made more than 1.3 million referrals to services, helping connect individuals and families with the resources they need.
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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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STRONGER TOGETHER: Ohio’s Collaborative Informational Series
Please join us on July 27 from 10–11 a.m. for the next Stronger Together webinar. As a reminder, the 2026 webinar series highlights the collaboration efforts of local Family and Children First Councils.
In the July session, Belmont, Lorain and Summit Counties will share how they are working together to reduce the number of youth from their communities placed in congregate care.
Ohio CASA's 2026 Celebrate Kids! Conference: Free Registration Scholarships Available
PCSA attorneys and case workers, along with other attorneys who practice in juvenile court are eligible for FREE registration for the 2026 Ohio CASA Celebrate Kids! Conference.
Celebrate Kids! marks its 31st year and will be held September 30 – October 2, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency, Downtown Columbus.
Registration includes:
- Workshops focused on skill development and resource availability;
- Up to 12 hours of Sup.R. 48 credit, CLE with selected attorney professional conduct hours, and CPE credit with selected ethics credit;
- Meals and snacks, including breakfast and lunch Thursday and breakfast Friday; and
- Free parking at designated lots.
Please note: Scholarships do not cover the cost of Hyatt hotel rooms, but Ohio CASA has secured a discounted room rate of $175 per night, including tax, for all conference attendees.
Please contact Megan Heydlauff, mheydlauff@ohiocasa.org to receive information about utilizing a scholarship.
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Invitation to Ohio Professional Registry (OPR) and Ohio Certification for Agencies and Families (OCAF) Office hours – August 17, 2026
You are invited to attend office hours for Ohio Group Homes covering upcoming changes to background checks, including the transition to the Ohio Professional Registry (OPR) system.
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Date: August 17, 2026
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Time: 2 - 3:30 p.m.
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Format: Virtual one-and-a-half-hour office hours. We will have an interactive Question and Answer and demonstration of new functionality. Breakout sessions will be included as needed.
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Who should attend: Group home administrators and individuals who support group home staff in completing background checks.
Please mark your calendar and share this invitation with any staff who may benefit.
Want to learn more? Check out the DCY OCAF Knowledge Articles available on the Information Station within the Customer Care Center (CCC) for more information and resources.
Traverse 101 Webinar Training
New or existing Traverse users at Public Children Services Agencies are welcome to register for the next monthly Traverse 101 Training Webinar on July 29 from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. During this 60-minute session, you’ll learn the basics of Traverse, the content management system designed for human services agencies.
On the web platform, we’ll add finished content (scans, uploads, and virtual prints) to the system and work with forms. On the mobile platform, we’ll collect information in the field.
At the end of the webinar, we’ll host a bring-your-own-problem (BYOP) session where participants can ask questions about how Traverse can improve their business processes.
Title IV-E Cost Reports
Agencies with a current Title IV‑E cost report on file with DCY for SFY 2025 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025) do not need to submit a cost report and agreed-upon procedures for SFY 2026 (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026) on December 31, 2026. Their next required cost report and agreed-upon procedures will cover SFY 2027 (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) and be due December 31, 2027.
Agencies without a current cost report on file must submit one as soon as possible. DCY intends to amend OAC rule 5180:2‑5‑03 to include submission of a IV‑E cost report as a condition of certification.
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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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Spotlight on Coshocton County Independent Living Fair
Coshocton County Children Services recently hosted its third annual Independent Living Fair for youth ages 14 and older in its custody. About 15 youth and their caregivers attended, connecting with local and statewide resources from partners including the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Bridges, the Ohio Youth Ombudsman, local counseling services, military recruiters, and more.
Youth received resource bags, lunch, and gift bags with household essentials. Those needing a state ID also visited a mobile BMV station set up specifically for the event.
Independent living fairs help prepare young people for adulthood by connecting them with valuable programs and community resources.
Hosting an upcoming independent living fair or transition event? Contact DCY's Independent Living and Transition Age Youth Team for support.
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Bridges Supervisor goes above and beyond to provide support and guidance to a young adult
DCY recognizes the hard work, compassion, and dedication of Kaitlin Konicek, a Bridges Supervisor with Pressley Ridge, who serves young adults in Ohio’s extended foster care program.
Kaitlin goes above and beyond to support both her staff and the young adults she serves. She builds trust, creates meaningful connections, and provides unwavering support—even across state lines. One young adult, who has faced significant challenges, continues to rely on Kaitlin as her trusted "safe person," knowing she can count on her during moments of crisis or uncertainty.
When this young adult recently needed additional support, Kaitlin volunteered to travel out of state to meet with her in person. Through empathy, patience, and clear communication, she helped the young adult navigate a difficult situation and make an informed decision.
DCY is grateful for Kaitlin’s commitment to Ohio’s young adults. As Kaitlin says, “the seeds are planted and watered,” and her dedication continues to make a lasting difference.
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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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